Flowering to death?

[Jeremy]

I have a Brassolaeliocattleya that I just repotted last month. I repotted and divided it (leaving 5 mature psuedobulbs) in August after it finished blooming in July. Now it is blooming again! But I am not sure if I should be happy about it. I think that the plant is going to die since the roots haven't filled the pot ( it is still a little loose), and the psuedobulbs are shrivelled. I think that it is expending all its energy into flowering again (the method for plant reproduction to ensure the plant has seeds for future generation), and that by flowering it will kill it self. Does anyone know whether this plant will survive and flower next year? Has anyone experienced this same occurance?

Jeremy

[cneos]

Usually BLC, and other cattleya-type bloom only on new growth. Eventually older pseudobulbs shrivel up and die. I wouldn't worry unless your plant is not producing new pseudoblub growth

[Charles]

If you are truly concerned, sacrifice the flower. Or trust the plant and if this is it, honor it's last wishes. Just get ready to flask the seeds.
If you are unsure what I am talking about, rent the DVD Charlotte's Web and watch it with the kids. It will explain everything.

[Jeremy]

I think I will just let the plant flower. If it dies, I will probably get a new Blc. (or may be a cattleya species), this plant is just any old cross. There is a new growth, but it is stunted. Usually this particular orchid grows new psuedobulbs and flowers at the same time. Hopefully the growth will resume after it is finished flowering and this growth will be a mature growth. If the plant dies, I want a cattleya that is unifoliate, lavender colored with yellow throat/lip, and has strong fragrance. Does anyone know any good species or hybrids that have these characteristics?

Jeremy

[Dorothy]

Wow I am sure Mauro could tell you .. he is the Cattleya

Jeremy - search under name Rosim_in_BR - his threads and posts have incredible photos of his catts

[Dorothy]

In my travels to find the next orchid, I came across these that might interest you -
Cattleya loddigessii var. harrisoniana - IOSPE PHOTOS
it's fragrant
Cattleya Mrs Pitt - Cattleya Mrs Pitt at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Laelia anceps 'Mendenhall', AM/AOS - Laelia anceps 'Mendenhall', AM/AOS at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Laeliocattleya Casitas Springs 'Linden', AM/AOS - Laeliocattleya Casitas Springs 'Linden', AM/AOS at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Laeliocattleya Drumbeat 'Triumph', AM/AOS - Laeliocattleya Drumbeat 'Triumph', AM/AOS at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Laeliocattleya Summerland - Laeliocattleya Summerland at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate - this one I particularly like
Laelia jongheana - Laelia jongheana at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Laelia lucasiana - Laelia lucasiana at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Laelia anceps 'SanBar Parade Day' - Laelia anceps 'SanBar Parade Day' at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Laelia anceps var. Guatamalan Form - Laelia anceps var. Guatamalan Form at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Just to throw a few out there
Is there anything here you like?

[Jeremy]

Wow I really like the Laeliocattleya Drumbeat 'Triumph'! The flower is very nice. Also there is a vendor near me that sells that particular one (it's a mericlone so I think the flowers should be exactly alike). Is the fragrance really strong on that one?

Jeremy

[Dorothy]

I have no idea about it's fragrance. The best thing will be to ask the vendor. Perhaps someone else here may have first hand experience with this one.