Help me out with my $3 epilaeliocattleya.

[HollyMStewart]

So, I picked this up from a local Lowes. It was in the clearance section for $3. The picture looked pretty and I couldn't really see why it was being sold so cheap, so I bought it.

It is one of the "Better-Gro" bagged orchids. The label says its a "Epilaeliocattleya Jackie Bright" and the plant tag says "Jackie Bright 'Hilo Stars'".

Once I got it home, it looks like the reason they marked it down was for a broken leaf. It has 3 big pseudobulbs, one with a stem from a previous blooming. The biggest pseudobulb has a sheath emerging - or that's at least what it looks like to me.

There are a few spots on some of the leaves... what do these look like to you guys? Bruising, bugs? I'm not sure..

Does the name of this plant mean that it is a properly registered plant? Are any of these bag orchids ever registered?

[Gage]

Nice deal! I find that those better gro tags are registered names. Just google "rhs" and go to the royal horticultural society's website and search the name. The spots just look like nicks from it being moved around. And one little thought, you may be overpotting it. I would pot it so the roots just fit, and if there is any extra room, fill it with styrofoam. Can't wait to see it bloom! Good luck!

[glengary54]

With all the changes in the Cattleya alliance your plant is now known as Enanthleya Jackie Bright 'Hilo Star' which is (Cattlianthe Gold Digger X Encyclia randii). The plant looks fairly healthy for a bag baby.

[HollyMStewart]

Yeah, I thought more about it after I potted it that the pot may be too big. It did have a huge root system though, which surprised me for only 3 leaves/pseudobulbs on the surface. I'm still getting used to the pot size thing, I am so used to putting regular houseplants in bigger pots, thinking that root bound is a bad thing. Tee hee.

That is great to know its proper name and parentage! Thanks for that help. I need a tutorial to figure out how to use that RHS site.. I get confused as to what information I am supposed to put where.

[bballr4567]

Literally almost picked up this exact same plant last week. They had it down to $3 but my old boss said I could have it for .50!!!

[HollyMStewart]

The picture on the tag looks like it will have gorgeous flowers! I was surprised when I got it home that it had already bloomed at its size, and had a sheath for a new bloom. The plants in this size usually sell for $13, so it was a pretty good bargain for a blooming size plant on its way to flowering. Since finding that I have been trying to go back to that Lowes every couple weeks and check out their clearance for more cheap bag babies.

[bballr4567]

Just ask the department manager. Lowe's has about a 130% markup on the orchids.

If there arent many left on the rack, they are usually about to get another shipment in and want to get rid of the "old" stuff ASAP.

[Gage]

Originally Posted by HollyMStewart

I need a tutorial to figure out how to use that RHS site.. I get confused as to what information I am supposed to put where.

I think the search tool is not working currently. I have no idea why. That said, even when it is working, the search tool isn't forgiving. I always leave the genus box empty because they're always reclassifying stuff. Just put the word or words you are sure of in the grex box. For example, if you don't know how part of the grex name is spelled, just put in a word you feel confident about. And remember that clonal names are not registered with RHS, so leave that out of your search. I hope it starts working again soon.

[Merlyn]

The RHS sure ISN'T working !!! I tried several known plants and got no results !