Epicattleya (Epc) Rene Marquez 'Flame Thrower' HCC/AOS - Orchid Board

Bud · #1 05-31-2012, 08:14 PM

I have had this Epicattleya (Epc) Rene Marquez 'Flame Thrower' HCC/AOS a little over a year. The parentage of this cross is Epidendrum pseudepidendrum x (Cattleya intermedia) x (Cattleya loddigesii). I looked at pictures of all of the parents and I don’t see much to predict the resulting hybrid. But now by looking at the flower, I am certain where the clonal name 'Flame Thrower' comes from.

This is the first time this plant has bloomed and it produced only one flower. I am actually happy with it since the new growth is much taller than any previous growth. I am sure there will be even taller canes next year along with a lot more flowers.

I have the plant in a 4-inch plastic square pot in medium bark, charcoal, lava rock and coco chips. The plant has room for a couple more years to grow and I discovered there is plenty of new root growth.

PaphMadMan · #2 05-31-2012, 08:49 PM

Both the flower and the plant look a great deal like the Epi. pseudepidendrum parent but a bit more robust, which is common when a reedstem Epi. is crossed with a standard Catt. type. The plant looks very happy and healthy, and you are correct that it will have many more flowers in the future. As with any Epi. pseudepidendrum cross, do not cut the spike back. As long as it stays green it is quite possible to get more blooms from the same spike.