C. Horace 'Maxima' AM/AOS x SLC. Barbara Elmore 'Hearts'

[HollyMStewart]

Since my start of orchids this past fall, this is my first blooming plant. I feel the need to show it off and ask some questions about it, since I am still so new at this.

I am still bad with figuring out what tags mean, but the tag reads C. Horace 'Maxima' AM/AOS x SLC. Barbara Elmore 'Hearts'.

This orchid came from a local grower, Elmore Orchids of Knoxville TN. It was a Christmas gift from my hubby along with 4 others.

It was in bud when I got it.. 3 total. The first bud has opened, it smells very very fragrant. Almost like sweet roses or something. The other two buds are about to bloom.

Any information you can tell me about this plant would be great. How often it will bloom, how big it will get, etc.

Also, I feel like the plant is a bit... scraggly. Two of the leaves on one side are yellowing and falling over, and its got a couple of old yellow stems (or whatever the proper name is for those..) I asked Mr.Elmore, and he said it was okay to trim it back as long as it had enough healthy leaves on it. Looking at the pictures I've added, would it be safe to trim up those two stems and two leaves on the one side? Should I wait until its down flowering first?

[buckie]

Holly,
The correct name of this cross is Cattlianthe ( Ctt. ) Pink Reflections, I will leave your questions for others.

Warren

[HollyMStewart]

Buckie, how do you know this? All my tag says is the name listed above.. I haven't figured out how to read through the orchid registry stuff yet though. I know those are the parent plants listed, so is what you wrote the name of the actual plant itself? Good to know! Something I can add to my catalog on this plant.

(Please keep the info coming, I am learning so much!)

[buckie]

Holly,
When a plant is named it is done by the RHS, all the correct names of registered plants are there, it also has who registered it and when, in this case it was registered by K. Davis on the 19/2/2008.

Warren.

Yes this is the name of your plant.

[silken]

Your bloom is lovely. I see one very yellow pseudo bulb. These are what the leaves are attached to, but when they get old the leaves eventually yellow and fall off. The pseudo bulbs usually continue to live for a long time after. If leaves or pseudo bulbs are green, you should leave them on the plant as they feed and support the rest of the plant. That yellow one could be cut off tho as it is dying. Cut it slightly above the soil level so it can dry and not rot. You could sprinkle cinnamon on the cut to help seal the cut end.

It also looks like the plant might need re-potting. However, it is best to wait until the flowers are finished and you see new growths and roots starting. But if the plant is suffering and has root problems it should be done as soon as possible. Cattleyas need an open fast draining potting media such as bark or coconut husk chunks. In the wild they would be growing on a tree and their roots would be exposed to air and breezes so when they are in pots, they need to dry quickly and get air to the roots. They should also be potted in a pot that will only comfortably hold the roots. If the pot is too large, it doesn't dry out fast enough and root rot can happen.

I hope this helps.

[HollyMStewart]

Yes, I was planning on repotting it as soon as it is done blooming. Any tips on how long it will bloom? How often per year? How big it will get?

[silken]

Unless it is in trouble root wise, you should really wait to re-pot until new growths are just showing some roots. Many cattleyas bloom once a year but others bloom several times. Usually once new growths are mature and the buds can take a long time to develop. So it is hard to say exactly for the many hybrids out there. Same thing with how long the blooms will last. Some last a week or two and others (my smaller blooms) last for many weeks. I don't have this hybrid so can't really say how big it will get. It is a mature plant already with several bloom spikes, so not likely a lot taller but could grow more pseudo bulbs and therefore get wider and need a larger pot.