Tetraploid Cattleya walkeriana (tipo)

[thefish1337]

Blooming on two spikes with 2 buds each. The other flower looks slightly better but I have to untangle the plants roots out of my grow tray to the get the pot out and I don't want to damage the other buds so I'll wait until the plant is fully in bloom before I move it. Parentage is 'SVO Passion' x 'SVO Whopper'

The shape of the lip, the color and the velvety richness are absolutely stunning and can hardly be captured by photo in a way that truly represents it.

[Louis_W]

Interesting round lip! Pretty unique! I love it!

[orchidman77]

This seems like it was such a good cross as I don't think I've seen a single flower that wasn't exceptional!

[thefish1337]

Originally Posted by orchidman77

This seems like it was such a good cross as I don't think I've seen a single flower that wasn't exceptional!

Yes I have seen Carlos Lopez post a number of them on Instagram. Very good genetics with this cross. Ultra flat, large, well formed petals and a strong grower and rooter. Dang near checks all the boxes which is why this plant is a certified "keeper"

It tried to bloom on 3 spikes this fall and they all aborted but I think I can get multiple spikes with 3 flower buds per spike next bloom. I need to do a better job of shielding the orchid from light especially the low angle red light in the afternoons during our northern fall season. It really throws the plant for a loop.

[orchidman77]

This is good info. Now I'm wishing that I had ordered a seedling of this cross last year. I already have too many walkerianas and nobiliors! (and I'm blaming Stephen VKL for that!!)

Good luck getting the heavier blooming! My seedlings will hopefully be blooming size this winter/spring, but I'm sure I need to adjust culture to help them bloom. They seem happy enough now. I have seedlings from H&R/Miranda/TON/Ben Oliveros, so we'll see which ones end up being worth keeping. I understand now how one can end up with so many!

Originally Posted by thefish1337

Yes I have seen Carlos Lopez post a number of them on Instagram. Very good genetics with this cross. Ultra flat, large, well formed petals and a strong grower and rooter. Dang near checks all the boxes which is why this plant is a certified "keeper"

It tried to bloom on 3 spikes this fall and they all aborted but I think I can get multiple spikes with 3 flower buds per spike next bloom. I need to do a better job of shielding the orchid from light especially the low angle red light in the afternoons during our northern fall season. It really throws the plant for a loop.

[thefish1337]

Yeah Steven's videos convinced me that they weren't so daunting after all. I've got a number of them I'm growing out from the same places! The best growing walkeriana have been from Miranda and I have a number I expect to bloom this fall. All of my H&R tetraploid walkeriana are extremely slow growing but that may simply be my conditions and culture that are not as compatible. They deflask their seedlings extremely early and my conditions make it a little hard to get momentum as such small plants. The last compot I let them grow out much longer before up potting to 3" and they are doing much better this time.

[isurus79]

For some reason I can’t see the photo! Is this the one that’s on Reddit?

[thefish1337]

Originally Posted by isurus79

For some reason I can’t see the photo! Is this the one that’s on Reddit?

weird. but yes it is