C. loddigesii, fma. alba

[Fairorchids]

There are two stories coming here.

I have been chasing one of these (for breeding purposes) for years. One year ago, I got one from Silva Orchids; there was no clonal name on the label, so I just call it 'Silva'. The plant had a lot of backbulbs, so I separated 3 or 4 when I repotted it.

The main plant is in bud on two leads. Flower photo will follow in a week or two.

The BB division surprised me some. From the youngest BB it sprouted a normal lead, which has already produced a second growth (more than half way to BS).
From the oldest BB, it sprouted two smaller leads:

• A - from an eye about 1" above the mix
• B - from a near invisible eye about 3" above the mix

I have never seen Catts produce BB leads that high up on the PB before. With the value of this plant, I have to encourage B to set more roots and start the next growth (I plan to wrap some spaghnum around it's base).

[Fairorchids]

Just found flower photo from last years blooming.

[isurus79]

Beautiful flower! I've only had my Cattleyas send out a growth that high on the bulb when they're in trouble. Maybe dividing the plant caused some internal mechanism to go off that the plant is not doing well? I should mention this plant looks very healthy!

You could probably pull the oddly placed growth off and toss it. I suspect you might get several replacement growths at normal locations on the plant.