Cattlianthe Jewel Box Mix Up

[PlumCrazy]

So... I know you guys are tired of me hearing complain about blooming orchids - but - I've done it again...

I saw a beautiful orange orchid at Hausermann's and had already decided to try my first windowsill-type Cattleya and when I saw it knew that was the one! I grabbed the one next to it since it had four orange buds on it and looked in good shape. I glanced at the tag. Then in a few days when the buds opened and doh!!!! I discovered I had Cattlianthe Jewel Box 'Dark Waters' AM/AOS. Didn't pull the tag out far enough. Saw the Cattlianthe Jewel Box not realizing I needed to read all of the way down to 'Orange'' Total noob mistake!!! Lesson learned.

It's not what I wanted, and not my favorite, but I'm trying to let it grow on me. First of all, the color is nice. This picture really doesn't look accurate on my computer. The blooms are a deep, velvety blood red. The back of the flowers do still have an orange tint.

And then there is the scent. Fabulous! I'd describe it as similar to roses. It is strong enough that I smell wafts of it at my desk about 6' away all day long, but the scent is very light, not overpowering.

Interestingly, it seems that this orchid has kind of a cult following...

And now I'm just hoping they'll still have the 'Orange' in September when I hopefully get to go to Hausermann's again.