Cattleya warscewiczii

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by Mokeck

That's one with great 'bones', meaning it has everything it needs to be spectacular in the years to come. A first blooming, especially from a plant grown at the equator, couldn't look much better. Be careful repotting or disturbing it at all. It has two flushes of roots, right after it blooms and when the first cool licks come up in September. The lip on yours is awesome. Give it as bright a light as it can stand to get erect petals and sepals and better shape - and deeper color -overall. It deserves to be called the King of Cattleyas.

Thank you for the advice. It's been quite a prolific grower since I got it, with the main plant growing in three different directions. One of the newly forming growths has a sheath, so perhaps I'll give it more sunlight to see if that improves the blooms. I do have it in a fairly sunny location right now, but it only receives early morning direct sunlight. I might move it out with the C. amethystoglossas (which have proven to be the true sun-loving members of the cattleya family in my collection) to see how it fares.

[gnathaniel]

Wonderful plant, Steve! I have a seedling supposed to be of similar type, I hope it turns out even half as nice as yours.

[Mokeck]

I think that'll help. It's also very sensitive to fertilizer burn so go really weak or use just seaweed extract and Epsom salts, which mine loves. Sounds like you have a very vigorous plant. This species blooms right after it sheaths so look for an extended display, probably because it's a little confused. Lucky you!