Lc. Robert Strait 'Blue Hawaii'

[orchidsamore]

Enjoy the flowers. Lc. Robert Strait 'Blue Hawaii' is one of the hardest cultivars to flower. Even here in Florida they do badly.

It is amazing since so many of its hybrids do so well.

Most growers have stopped growing them.

Divisions often flower quickly but be careful after the flowers end to be sure the plant is still doing well and not overly stressed.

[Louise]

I have got one, I hope it will bloom and be as beautiful as yours!

[Chiral224]

Why are they so fussy! Must be because they are so beautiful ??
I thinking of getting a seedling...but hmm......

What are your tips for getting this one to bloom?

[orchidsamore]

no secrets to blooming, unusually long patience. We have stoped growing them commercially and even refuse to sell the few we have left as they will only disappoint.

[Chiral224]

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

no secrets to blooming, unusually long patience. We have stoped growing them commercially and even refuse to sell the few we have left as they will only disappoint.

Thats too bad, they are so beautiful. Maybe I'll try a hybrid then. I like a challenge, but maybe not so much of one! lol!

[camille1585]

If it's so hard to bloom, why are there many people on OB who have one, have posted photos, and have said nothing about it being difficult to bloom? I researched this plant a few months back since it's one my wishlist, and difficulty blooming is not something that comes up. Or 'Blue Hawaii' may be one which does not have this problem.

[Louise]

Originally Posted by camille1585

If it's so hard to bloom, why are there many people on OB who have one, have posted photos, and have said nothing about it being difficult to bloom? I researched this plant a few months back since it's one my wishlist, and difficulty blooming is not something that comes up. Or 'Blue Hawaii' may be one which does not have this problem.

Same with me, i never heard anything about this one beeing a difficult plant. As I said I have got one, it has not bloom yet but seems to grow fine. This only fear i had is that it will not be as blue as i expect...I hope to see it's bloom in late summer or autumn....

[orchidsamore]

The only way you would know they were hard to bloom is if you were a commercial grower like myself and could compare thousands of plants to growth patterns of other Cattleya.

Most growers would not advertise that fact as it would make sale of the current inventory difficult. I have a friend who had thousands at one time and my own results, and neither of us had enough blooms within 3 years to justify (normal Cattleya blooming period) keeping them in production.

Four years ago everyone in Hawaii was offering them for sale and making additional hybrids and variations. Today none of them still have them in new production.

Even plants we have bloomed do not necessarily bloom again the next year.

There are so many other plants that look similar without the difficulties. Blc Ann Cleo ‘Stars and Stripe is much prettier and blooms regularly with a similar color pattern.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

The only way you would know they were hard to bloom is if you were a commercial grower like myself and could compare thousands of plants to growth patterns of other Cattleya.

I can see the logic in that. So, it's not necessarily hard to bloom - just a shy bloomer?

Thanks for the info, I'm off to check out Ann Cleo.

[orchidsamore]

There is a photo in this gallery

Bassovola-Laelia-Cattleya Gallery