Wrong ID Cattleya

[Leafmite]

I just checked their website. They look like a very nice, legit business. You should either call them and ask if you could send them a picture for identification or just email them a picture of your orchid, explain that the tag must have gotten mixed up at Lowes, and ask them if they have any idea what your Cattleya might be. The nicer your are, the more likely that they will respond to your inquiry. It might take a few days as they do wholesale and it is quite a large business.

Here is the contact info:

Gubler Orchids Visit Us

Another interesting thought...it might be the right orchid but much redder when blooming during cooler temperatures. If the orchid was kept warm while the bud was developing, it might just be lacking the red pigment. I have had this happen with Cattleyas as well as other orchids. No idea. I would need to spend more time studying the photos.

[nobile7]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I just checked their website. They look like a very nice, legit business. You should either call them and ask if you could send them a picture for identification or just email them a picture of your orchid, explain that the tag must have gotten mixed up at Lowes, and ask them if they have any idea what your Cattleya might be. The nicer your are, the more likely that they will respond to your inquiry. It might take a few days as they do wholesale and it is quite a large business.

Here is the contact info:

Gubler Orchids Visit Us

Another interesting thought...it might be the right orchid but much redder when blooming during cooler temperatures. If the orchid was kept warm while the bud was developing, it might just be lacking the red pigment. I have had this happen with Cattleyas as well as other orchids. No idea. I would need to spend more time studying the photos.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful reply. I think Gubler is an amazing company. I have several orchids from them through the years. I did email them today and they replied back immediately: "Our records indicate that that does look to be a Village Chief Armani 'Red Dragon. But we do have old cattleyas that could be from the same family."

It's quite possible your thoughts about the temperature affecting the color. Also, it is quite possible that the photographs online are that of one of the parents, Rlc. Shinfong Beauty. The parents of the Rlc. Village Chief Armani 'Red Dragon' are Rlc. Shinfong Beauty x C. Tainan City. However, it seems to be too drastic of a color difference. This site has the 'Red Dragon' as quite a bold red. And this site, a hot pink...

Also, there were at least 4 other pots of this labeled variety at Lowe's San Diego. I hope it's not a mass mislabeling incident.

[Orchidtinkerer]

I have seen some startling differences in color due to temp, so much so you would not know it was the same flower so this must be one of them and colder nights on the next flowering might create a deeper red.

First blooms are generally not as well colored as subsequent blooms. The shape looks to be accurate even if that means little. Try sticking it outside (as long as its not under 50F) at night for next flowering and see if that makes a difference.

Ps: can I ask if it has a fragrance?

[nobile7]

Originally Posted by Orchidtinkerer

I have seen some startling differences in color due to temp, so much so you would not know it was the same flower so this must be one of them and colder nights on the next flowering might create a deeper red.

First blooms are generally not as well colored as subsequent blooms. The shape looks to be accurate even if that means little. Try sticking it outside (as long as its not under 50F) at night for next flowering and see if that makes a difference.

Ps: can I ask if it has a fragrance?

Thanks for your thoughts. It’s actually around 55F at night where it is now, and there is another budded sheath yet to push out. Let’s see...

This orchid is indeed growing on me because of its elegance and autumnal shade. The fragrance is an exotic musk, but not yet intense.