A survivor: Rlc. Bengal Baby

[StephaneL]

This plant has been giving me all kind of trouble. I burned most of its leaves two years ago (it like less sun than my other cattleyas) and it had a stunted growth last year, but I think I have now figured it out. I sure am glad it survived since its blooms are unique.

[Merita]

This is beautiful! It was worth the effort!

[Fairorchids]

Is this a seed grown plant, or a meristem?
If the latter, what clonal name?

[StephaneL]

It is a seed grown plant from Sunset Valley Orchid (7564, Slc. Jungle Hotspot 'SVO Splash Spots' x Blc. Sun Spots 'Sandy' AM/AOS).

I've seen a few of them online and they are all quite variable:
- On SVO's website;
- On Orchid Roots;
- On Facebook.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by StephaneL

It is a seed grown plant from Sunset Valley Orchid (7564, Slc. Jungle Hotspot 'SVO Splash Spots' x Blc. Sun Spots 'Sandy' AM/AOS).

I've seen a few of them online and they are all quite variable:
- On SVO's website;
- On Orchid Roots;
- On Facebook.

I think that yours is the best of the ones shown. It could be interesting to use in breeding, so once it gets large enough to divide, I would be interested in a division.

[StephaneL]

Thank you everyone!

@Louis_W: I have no experience of judging either. I really like the saturation of the colors and the sharpness of the spots in the sepals and the purple segments of the petals. I also like how the petals and the sepals are so different (almost like they are coming from different flowers) which give a very striking effect. However, if I am critical, the flowers are quite crowded and not really flat. Maybe I should give judging a try to see if the judges would evaluate the flowers the same way I do.

@Fairorchids: I'll put you on the list...

[Louis_W]

Originally Posted by StephaneL

Thank you everyone!

... if I am critical, the flowers are quite crowded and not really flat. Maybe I should give judging a try to see if the judges would evaluate the flowers the same way I do.

@Fairorchids: I'll put you on the list...

I might be wrong but for these multifloral bifoliate cattleya the judging is more focused on flower head arrangement and less focused on flatness and individual presentation. Your plant will probably increase its flower count as it gets larger and perhaps you will start to see the spiral arrangment. Maybe some of the judges on here can tell us if I'm full of it.

[SFLguy]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

I think that yours is the best of the ones shown. It could be interesting to use in breeding, so once it gets large enough to divide, I would be interested in a division.

Agreed,
That one is spectacular. I think it needs to grow up a little more and it'll flatten out a little better. Some cupping is expected on a peloric cross like this. I don't think yours is too cupped to rule it out. Hopefully it'll have a longer stem the next time it blooms so the flowers aren't so crowded - especially since there will probably be more flowers than this time. The lip will probably also flatten out, but it has such wide segments and such great color that your points on form and color should be pretty high .

[StephaneL]

Thank you all again!

I will give judging a try the next time it blooms. Regardless of the outcome it should be a fun experience.

BTW, do any of you have tricks to improve the presentation of flowers for indoor grown orchids? I rotate my plants every few days (when I water them) so they don't grow in only one direction. I stop when the buds start the develop because in the past, when I did not, flowers got confused and some of them were upside down. However, the flowers now all point in one direction. Any suggestions to get a more natural presentation?

[camille1585]

Looks like the effort to figure out this plant paid off, those are nice blooms! Very bright and colorful.