Cattleya Velutina 'colibri' seedling - Orchid Board

Nico · #1 05-29-2010, 04:20 AM

Hi!

Here is my little C. Velutina 'colibri', arrived a few days ago after a 16 days shipment from Brazil, bare roots. I think it is in good condition and has healthy roots, unlike other catts that arrived with many dead roots. I was so surprised to see it well.

What do you think? Is it looking ok? I am a little bit unsure because I know how tough it is for velutina to resist to dryness.

In the first picture it is next to a 12 pot.

'colibri' means something? Like small velutina or else?

Thanks a lot!

trdyl · #2 05-29-2010, 04:29 AM

I have not grown this one but it looks great. I would make sure the rhyzome is on top of the media not under it.

Nico · #3 05-29-2010, 05:04 AM

Thanks for the comment. I'll lift a little bit the plant. I put it in coarse bark and some pieces are too big. I use coarse bark because I am afraid of over watering.

Nico · #4 06-20-2010, 10:33 AM

Please, allow me to show you some progresses after about 3 or 4 weeks. I am so happy to see this little one adapted to my environment and producing roots (2 or 3) and rootlets (around 4).

Maybe I am over reacting

but I am trying my best with C. velutina. I watch it every day! It is strategically placed.

I hope the bark won't hurt the new roots. I know moss is better, but seems fine for the moment.

RobS · #5 06-20-2010, 10:45 AM

There is one risk with looking every day : to much water. Make sure that the roots dry to white. Also you can use terracota pots as they dry easier and I've seen Cattleya's (in the broad sense) do well in it despite regular watering.

Colibri should be a clonal designation. But clones are normally not propagated trough seedlings only divisions and meristem.

Yes it's a healthy / strong looking plant.

Nico · #6 06-20-2010, 11:20 AM

I agree with you RobS. I only water when roots became dry (in the picture is at the moment of watering, that's why it is so wet). Also the coarse bark helps a lot. It dries very quickly and the drainage is very good. Thanks for your comments!

About this name, all I have is this (from the grower, Floralia in Brazil): "CATTLEYA VELUTINA 'COLIBRI' X IDEM Rarely seen bifoliate cattleya, offered in strong seedling size., 3" pots"

RobS · #7 06-20-2010, 12:02 PM

That should mean it's a cross between the clone colibri and a different plant rather similar. So it's not the clone colibri but it's offspring.

Good luck with it.