Cattleya Earl 'Imperialis'

[piping plover]

Beautiful blooms. I know this is an older post. Do you have any photos of the foliage and pseudobulbs of this plant that you can post here? I believe my baggy baby from BetterGro, purchased years ago is this same variety. As someone else has mentioned, I see so much of the 'Bow Bells' influence on this variety.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by Bayard

A great white and a reliable bloomer. One of the latest First Class Certificates awarded to a white Cattleya (1980's).

[Waterdog111]

Maybe someone from such an older post is still kicking😑

[Bayard]

Waterdog - I am!

Pipingplover - Here is my C. Earl. It is not the plant in the photo above. I bought this as a division of the original plant. The previous Earl has gone to orchid heaven.

[piping plover]

Bayard, glad to hear that you are!

And thank you so much for posting this photo. Yes, I do believe the foliage and bulbs are a match. The blooms on mine look similar to ‘Bob Betts’, but as I understand it, there is Bow Bells in both the Earl ‘Imperialis’ and the ‘Bob Betts.’

Does yours ever bloom in March to May timeframe?

I have been communicating with Mr. Robert Palmer, the Headgrower of BetterGro and also of his amazing nursery, Palmer Orchids. He has been very generous with his time and vast knowledge. I bought this orchid as a BetterGro (AKA SunBulb Co) baggy baby in 1986. He said Imperialis was sold by them at the time and he believes I have an Imperialis.

Originally Posted by Bayard

Waterdog - I am!

Pipingplover - Here is my C. Earl. It is not the plant in the photo above. I bought this as a division of the original plant. The previous Earl has gone to orchid heaven.