Rhynchosophrocatteleya - Orchid Board

Kath · #1 02-12-2009, 07:35 AM

I have an orchid which goes under the name of RhyncoSophroCatteleya =Potinara Luna Jaune 'Yellow Kitty'. Can anyone explain the name for me? If you can tell me how to look after it, I'd appreciate that too! It's in an 8cm pot, and I was wondering if I should transplant it and how. Can I cut the arial roots and the roots in the medium, or should I just let it be! I've sent a photo.

ronaldhanko · #2 02-12-2009, 12:18 PM

Potinara is a combination of four genera, Brassavola, Cattleya, Laelia and Sophronitis. The old name for this particular cross, therefore, was Potinara Luna Jaune. The name in single quotes is a name for this particular clone (one plant out of the cross) and means that the plant is exceptionally good and may even have been awarded. To make things more complicated, the names on a number of species were changed recently - the Laelias in this cross became Sophronitis and the Brassavola became Rhyncholaelia, hence the name of the combination changed also to Rhynchosophrocattleya. Any cross with that combination has that name, but the second two names are names for this particular cross only (a combination of Sophrocattleya Beaufort and Rhynchosophrocattleya Malworth). Here's the link to an article on the OB on orchid names that I wrote that may give you some further help: http://www.orchidboard.com/orchid-naming-explained.

ronaldhanko · #3 02-12-2009, 12:21 PM

Also, don't cut the aerial roots. You can repot it, but pot it so that the oldest growths are against the side of the pot and the new growths with grow into the middle of the pot. Don't use too large a pot (maybe a 4" or 5" pot). Without doing them any damage you can avoid get the roots including the aerial roots into the new pot and work the medium around them.

Kath · #4 02-12-2009, 01:04 PM

Thank you so much for your knowledge and expertise Ronaldhanko. I'll try and keep this plant growing now, as you've given me extra incentive! I'll keep you posted and perhaps if I can get it to flower I'll post a pretty picture!

With a name like that, it sounds like a well-travelled lady!

isurus79 · #5 02-12-2009, 06:04 PM

Just a cultural note: Dark green leaves mean that your plant is not getting enough light and probably wont bloom. Increase the light slowly over time until you begin to see red and/or purple coloration. Then the lighting is good. The fact that your leaves are wavy also indicates to little light or not enough water. How often does this one get water?

ronaldhanko · #6 02-12-2009, 07:01 PM

Steve is right - I noticed that too, but was so busy with names and roots I forgot to mention it.

Kath · #7 02-13-2009, 04:12 AM

Well, the problem has been that it's only been in my possession for a month, I bought it cheap, and have yet to give it lots of TLC (Tender Loving Care). It'll be going into my new conservatory which is almost finished, and then I'll be able to give all the correct light etc that it needs. It's been in my sitting room with a little less light than is obviously necessary, but the light will increase when it moves out in a few days, along with other phals which need more light. They are all sulking since they've been out of a sunny room. That's what it is to move house, and be unable to give my plants the attention they need! Your input is wonderful. Thanks!

ronaldhanko · #8 02-13-2009, 12:04 PM

Just be careful as Steve says that you don't move it out into high light all at once - you'll probably give it a bad case of sunburn