Cattleya eldorado var. concolor punctata 'Iara'

[Rosim_in_BR]

The entire flower is pink, except for the golden area and the small purple mark in the lip. The uniform color is what makes it concolor (although the lip seems a little whitish in the photos due to its diaphanousness, it is actually sweet pink) and the presence of a small mark in the centre of the lip is what makes it punctata. In eldorados the concept of punctata has been changed to indicate that small purple mark in the lip, which sometimes is a small dot, or stripe, or still a small triangular area, but never much larger than what is seen in this example and always in the centre of the lip.
As always, heavenly fragrance during the day.

[SP2340]

Gorgeous, thank you Mauro!

[smweaver]

Fantastic, Mauro. Now for a culture question: In your experience, does this species absolutely need to be grown in warm-to-hot temperatures, or is it adaptable to intermediate conditions? I have read that, unlike many cattleya species, C. eldorado is found in low-level habitats that are uniformly warm throughout the year. Do you know if it can be acclimated to temperatures more in line with species like, say, C. mossiae or schroderae? I would like to get one of these plants; however, I can't change my entire collection (which consists, in general, of intermediate growers) for one plant if it truly requires high heat throughout the year. Thank you for posting the pictures of your beautiful plant.

Steve

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by tuvoc

Absolutely lovely, Mauro. I have the same questions as Steve, because I'm Seriously considering trying one myself.

Kim

Originally Posted by smweaver

Fantastic, Mauro. Now for a culture question: In your experience, does this species absolutely need to be grown in warm-to-hot temperatures, or is it adaptable to intermediate conditions? I have read that, unlike many cattleya species, C. eldorado is found in low-level habitats that are uniformly warm throughout the year. Do you know if it can be acclimated to temperatures more in line with species like, say, C. mossiae or schroderae? I would like to get one of these plants; however, I can't change my entire collection (which consists, in general, of intermediate growers) for one plant if it truly requires high heat throughout the year. Thank you for posting the pictures of your beautiful plant.

Steve

Steve, Kim, in my experience yes, I believe C. eldorado can be grown in intermediate (to warm side) conditions. It is true that in its original habitat, the neighborhood of Manaus, Brazil, this species is subject to a year round warm to hot condition, but it is also true that it can be grown under the same conditions we provide for Cattleyas like intermedia, bicolor, mossiae, trianae, warsceweczii, gaskelliana, labiata etc. I have found that the best in order to maximize the possibilities is to start with an intermediate sized seedling, say 5" tall, to give the plant the opportunity to adapt itself to the new conditions you offer. With this size, the seedling is strong enough to not easily die and flexible enough to quickly adapt.

[natasha]

Originally Posted by Rosim_in_BR

Steve, Kim, in my experience yes, I believe C. eldorado can be grown in intermediate (to warm side) conditions. It is true that in its original habitat, the neighborhood of Manaus, Brazil, this species is subject to a year round warm to hot condition, but it is also true that it can be grown under the same conditions we provide for Cattleyas like intermedia, bicolor, mossiae, trianae, warsceweczii, gaskelliana, labiata etc. I have found that the best in order to maximize the possibilities is to start with an intermediate sized seedling, say 5" tall, to give the plant the opportunity to adapt itself to the new conditions you offer. With this size, the seedling is strong enough to not easily die and flexible enough to quickly adapt.

does this means that generally it is better to buy seedling than mature plant to acclimatise easily? my home is generally hotter than average malaysian temp since i live in industrial area (need to do some about that too later). i plant to shop for more chids next july and appreciate your advice

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by natasha

does this means that generally it is better to buy seedling than mature plant to acclimatise easily? my home is generally hotter than average malaysian temp since i live in industrial area (need to do some about that too later). i plant to shop for more chids next july and appreciate your advice

In my experience, yes, it is a pratice that most of times shows good results, as long as the seedling is not too small. Of course, this is not a rule, because each species has its own range of adaptation and if things like temperature, luminosity etc are out of the species tolerable range, the plant won't adapt, seedling or not.

[natasha]

thanks.... i didn't plan to buy too small seedling. if i do that, i will have to wait years to wait for the flowers maybe bigger seedlings will do...

i try not to buy chids that i know will not survive my place. in fact, most that i have, will live outside in the porch or out the sun. so cool growers no need to apply!

[tuvoc]

Absolutely lovely, Mauro. I have the same questions as Steve, because I'm Seriously considering trying one myself.

Kim

[kinknstein]

Beautiful Mauro!

[tuvoc]

Thanks, Mauro. The best way to find out for sure is to try, and I'm going to.

Kim