Cattleyas - 'Sibling Rivalry'

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by MJG

ES, what do you mean by "flat" flowers? Once again, something you see in a growers description. No clue what it means or why it's desirable.

Look up side view photos of Cattleya / Guarianthe aurantiaca. The petals and sepals project forwards from the base of the flower, like a partially closed hand. The look RHS and AOS judges want is the petals and sepals as close to being in a plane as possible. They also want petals and sepals as wide as possible, so the flower appears round, rather than having gaps between flower segments.

This little plant and Sophronitis / Cattleya coccinea contributed the red and orange pigment to Cattleya hybrids. They both have relative flaws: Aurantiaca has small flowers with "poor" form from the perspective of flatness and roundness. Coccinea has wonderful round flower form but a very tiny lip, and the flowers are small. Breeders tackled those problems to give us the hybrids we have today.

[SouthPark]

Nice explanation by ES! I used to wonder about the terminology and descriptions in worded form - which is definitely better than nothing.

I think the judging manuals (themselves) should include photographs and diagrams with arrows - clearly showing just what the text description means exactly. The descriptions probably do make sense after a while - but some pics and examples can go a long way toward making things clear - or much more clear ----- the judging manuals that is hehehe.

[Fairorchids]

Here is the flower from the 3rd C. Christina Mendoza (couldn't figure out how to add to the first post).

Also a larger flower, somewhat open, but with wider petals. Contrary to the other two, it has little pigment, so the lip is rather pale.

[Diane56Victor]

Quite a difference between the siblings, but Im sure interest could be found for each bloom 'type'.

[Fairorchids]

And here is yet another Christina Mendoza:

[My Green Pets]

The most recent might be my favorite but I liked number 3 a lot, too.

[WaterWitchin]

I'll take the C. Christina Mendoza behind door #1. That's lovely.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I'll take the C. Christina Mendoza behind door #1. That's lovely.

My choice too, but unfortunately the weakest grower.

[WaterWitchin]

Sometimes beauty requires sacrifice.

[Leafmite]

I really enjoy this thread. Thank you! These are all really pretty.