Cattleya G. S. Ball

[cabnc]

Trying to keep the name correct on this one is like hitting a moving target -- tough

Cattleya G. S. Ball was listed as an Sc. for a while and was listed as an Lc. before that. Cattleya G. S. Ball is a cross of C. schroderae x now C. cinnabarina.

It seems to grow like it's schroderae parent, starts new growth in early spring and if grown well a second growth is completed by August. The plant then rests until buds form in late December. The buds grow slowly and flowers do not open until March/April.

C. schroderae is a pale lavender color but is used in hybridizing for its round shaped, larger sized flowers and higher flower count. Here C. cinnabarina retains it's reddish-yellow and orange shades.

I received this plant from Darwin in September 2008. It did not produce any buds that fall. I was able to grow two new growths during summer 2009. Both formed two buds. The smaller spike buds have not opened yet.

It is still in a 2-1/2" pot, but will get potted up this summer when new growth starts. Plant is only about ten inches tall -- nice size.

Would like to see pictures of flowers if anyone else has this plant. I can only find one on the internet. The cross was first made in 1900 -- someone should have one

I believe this is a seedling from a recent remake of the cross. I suspect my flower does not have the most desireable round shape.

Charlie

[dounoharm]

still, its a beautiful color, and looks very nice....good growing!

[Orchidflowerchild]

Well, i mean, cinnabarina is also a *really* open flower. Is this first bloom? Honestly, first bloom cattleyas are like teenagers. Old enough to reproduce, but not really filled out and mature, yet. Give it a couple of bloomings to really be sure.

-Cj

[Zoi2]

It is beautiful and I love the color.
Joann

[cabnc]

Informed that Carter & Holmes remade the hybrid and offered seedlings as late as their Spring 2009 catalog, page 4:

http://www.carterandholmes.com/docs/...inter-09-1.pdf

It is not in the 2009 Fall catalog nor their online catalog.

Their catalog picture shows rounder petals. But their flower does not have the purple veining in the lip.

Cj -- I think (hope) you are correct - that with some care I can get better flower size, shape and count as the plant matures.

Charlie

[RosieC]

I really like this. Great colour. It is perhaps a little thin, but I like it anyway.