Cattleya percivaliana alba (& more)

[smweaver]

Your C. percivaliana is fantastic. I actually quite like the fragrance of this species. Yes, it's certainly a little on the atypical side, especially when compared to other labiate cattleyas noted for their strong and lovely fragrance. But I don't find C. percivaliana's fragrance to be offensive at all (and nowhere nearly as bad as some of the comparison's I've read others make: musty gym locker, crushed millipede, etc.). The scent gives it a lot of character, in my view. And now I too want one of the alba-flowered plants. Thanks for posting photos of your wonderful blooms.

[Califoutdoors]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Your C. percivaliana is fantastic. I actually quite like the fragrance of this species. Yes, it's certainly a little on the atypical side, especially when compared to other labiate cattleyas noted for their strong and lovely fragrance. But I don't find C. percivaliana's fragrance to be offensive at all (and nowhere nearly as bad as some of the comparison's I've read others make: musty gym locker, crushed millipede, etc.). The scent gives it a lot of character, in my view. And now I too want one of the alba-flowered plants. Thanks for posting photos of your wonderful blooms.

It’s funny how the fragrance of percivaliana is hit or miss for folks… *😵* I personally have whiffed a few percivaliana tipos that came close to musty gym locker…!

I also think percivaliana‘s fragrance varies more than the sweeter labiate cattleyas. The one alba I smelled at Stewart’s in the ‘90’s was much more spicy and pleasant.

[Johndeaux22]

The C. percivilliana is amazing! Looks almost like one of the old RHS paintings.

[bernardomantas97]

Dropping off an (overdue) update:

The encyclia fowliei has been opening for 3 weeks, and still not one bud has fully opened (too many rainy/gloomy days, I guess)...

Two sophronitis opened up in the meantime and have been open for over two weeks now (which I was not expecting - my friends who also have been growing sophronitis here in Portugal reported theirs would only last a few days before fading); the smallest one (wittigiana) is my mother's, she purchased it when we went to her first orchid show together 2 years ago, and the bigger one is the unidentified bargain - not really sure what it is, as the petals seem too round for a brevipedunculata but the plant itself does not really resemble any coccineas I've seen. Either way, both gorgeous in their own fashion!

Laelia rubescens is also opening its buds now (only 1 fully open so far, but hopefully the others will follow shortly).

There's also at least 2 trianaes with buds, 2 maximas with swollen sheaths, 1 quadricolor with a bud and another with a new sheath (though my quadricolors hate me and their leaves are just gradually burning for some reason...), a psychopsis with 3 buds on the way and a paphiopedilum fairreanum with 2 buds almost opening up. Oh, and a random pineapple xD

Enjoy!

[DaylightFirefly]

I am curious if Laelia rubescens will develop more purple pigment in the next couple of days.

[Roberta]

The L rubescens looks like the semi alba, I wouldn't expect it to get darker. The roses form is purple when it opens. Mine are still tight buds, good seeing it in bloom, maybe mine will be inspired...