C. Canhamiana

[marie458]

I'm so excited when one of my iconic orchids shows out with fabulous first blooms. Here's C. Canhamiana showing off five beautiful flowers with another spike filled with more buds. I just love that dreamy dramatic lip! His perfumy scent is so nice as well. It's also noteworthy that Canhamiana's classic, previously-bloomed parents, C. mossaie and C. purpurata, sit proudly nearby in my garden. Enjoy 🥰

[Louis_W]

Wow thats really impressive! One meaty flower!

Are the two parents you have the actual real classic parents?? Thats an amazing family reunion!

Also does that mean this isnt a polyploid? I guess it atill.could be. Sure looks like one...

[marie458]

Thank you, Louis After rereading my post, I have to apologize for giving the impression that the C. mossaie and C. purpurata I have are the parents of this Canhamiana hybrid. They are not the biological parents of this particular orchid. All three came from different nurseries. So, I don't know the exact parentage of this primary hybrid.

My understanding of polyploidy in orchids is that polyploids usually have large substantial flowers, intense coloration, and fairly thick flower spikes and leaves. I don't know the specifics of my orchid, however, this Canhamiana has all of those traits. So, I'm thinking it is indeed a polyploid.

[isurus79]

Beautiful!

[Louis_W]

Originally Posted by marie458

Thank you, Louis After rereading my post, I have to apologize for giving the impression that the C. mossaie and C. purpurata I have are the parents of this Canhamiana hybrid. They are not the biological parents of this particular orchid. All three came from different nurseries. So, I don't know the exact parentage of this primary hybrid.

My understanding of polyploidy in orchids is that polyploids usually have large substantial flowers, intense coloration, and fairly thick flower spikes and leaves. I don't know the specifics of my orchid, however, this Canhamiana has all of those traits. So, I'm thinking it is indeed a polyploid.

Id bet it is too! Parentage was just a curiosity, the flowers are spectacular!

[orchidman77]

Yes this is spectacular. I see Waldor selling Canhamiana 4N seedlings, so this might be from that crossing?

[Relemitty]

Marie, those blooms are beautiful.

I bought a LC Canhamiana 4N a year ago from a reseller, not Waldor.
I think mine has a few years to go after looking at the size of your plant.
I can't wait to see my Canhamiana bloom.

[orchidman77]

I keep coming back to this picture and it's making me want to get one myself! I'm so out of space. Ah, the never-ending orchid dilemma.

[marie458]

Thank you, Relemitty! I looked back on my purchase history/trail for this orchid. I got it back in 2022 from a seller in my area, not Waldor. It wasn't a seedling but it was a young plant about 2-3 years away from blooming size. Also, I confirmed that it is a 4N

David, if you aren't intimidated by seedlings, I would suggest you grab one. At least for now, it shouldn't take up too much room 😉