C. Walkeriana light question

[GardenTheater]

I got this Walkeriana in bud at our local orchid show in January 2013. I figured I could at least enjoy the blooms and scent before it pouted under my care. To my surprise it sent out 4 new pbulbs and now is growing roots. The leaves are horizontal and I wonder if it needs more light. It gets light from window and from grow light above it. Leaves did turned toward window where I suspect light is stronger. I'm wondering if I should move it gradually closer to the grow light. What do you think?

Here's the plant:

C. Walkeriana by Gardentheater, on Flickr
Here's the grow area:

2nd Floor Cattleya Window by Gardentheater, on Flickr
For fun, here's the bloom:

C. Walkeriana fm. coerulea x ... by Gardentheater, on Flickr

[tucker85]

I don't like to try to fix something that isn't broken. If your C. walkeriana has grown 4 new pseudo-bulbs it must be fairly happy. They do like bright light but I think it's doing fine where it is.

[Nexogen]

Cattleya walkeriana coerulea (maybe Cho-Jo?) like bright light but looks very happy.

[GardenTheater]

Thanks everyone for looking. I'll put it back to its original position and make no changes.

---------- Post added at 06:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:45 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Nexogen

Cattleya walkeriana coerulea (maybe Cho-Jo?) like bright light but looks very happy.

Thanks for the advice. Here's a photo of the parents that the grower had at his booth. Do you think he was selling it because the shape wasn't like the parents?

C. walkeriana's parents by Gardentheater, on Flickr

[isurus79]

One thing I've found with walkeriana is that it can always use more light! I would move it closer because getting it to grow is great, but getting it bloom is even better. These guys will not bloom in dark conditions.

As for the intentions of the grower, if he/she is a serious grower then yes, they probably sold it becaue the shape is not all that great by show standards. I don't think the flowers showed any improvement on either of the parents, which are pretty nice coeruleas. It doesn't mean you can't enjoy the flower and that amazing walkeriana scent though!

[Nexogen]

No, the reason is simple commercial, yours is beautiful.

[kindrag23]

I personally dont care about the shows, I just think its really cool and beautiful,

PS LOVE the dual window sill look How did you pull that off?

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by isurus79

One thing I've found with walkeriana is that it can always use more light! I would move it closer because getting it to grow is great, but getting it bloom is even better. These guys will not bloom in dark conditions.

As for the intentions of the grower, if he/she is a serious grower then yes, they probably sold it becaue the shape is not all that great by show standards. I don't think the flowers showed any improvement on either of the parents, which are pretty nice coeruleas. It doesn't mean you can't enjoy the flower and that amazing walkeriana scent though!

Thanks form the advice. My photo of the grow area makes it look darker than it actually is. The window faces west and the tree filters the sun. The glass shows how little i've moved it up as plants do better with gradual change that gives them time to respond at the cell level. It is pretty amazing what they can do.

The grower is serious as he is a certified judge. He was at our last meeting and I should have brought the plant in and asked about the leaf color. If I can get this one to bloom, I'll definitely get one with a shape I like better. I don't always agree with judging standard as I like the Catts with the old fashioned tube-shaped lips and the judges seem to like the flat ones.

---------- Post added at 02:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:49 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Nexogen

No, the reason is simple commercial, yours is beautiful.

Thanks. It does have it's own type of beauty and I like the silvery blue color.

---------- Post added at 03:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 PM ----------

Originally Posted by kindrag23

I personally dont care about the shows, I just think its really cool and beautiful,

PS LOVE the dual window sill look How did you pull that off?

The second shelf is actually a row of section cup shampoo bottle holders that I got at Bed Bath & Beyond. You need to periodically re-stick them when you water so they don't fall and bomb the plants below. I learned that the hard way. Wish I could give credit to the clever person on the board who originally posted the idea but its been a long time and I don't remember who it was. Here's a picture of the secret behind the curtain. You can see how bottles of shampoo and condition could sit where the orchid pots are.

Orchid shelf from suction cup shampoo holder by Gardentheater, on Flickr

[kindrag23]

O so they suction cup together side to side.

---------- Post added at 05:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:25 PM ----------

The inside pieces I mean. That is so awesome I have some that won't do well in my zone outside and my bedroom window is the best window we have....I gotta look into this!!!

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

O so they suction cup together side to side.

---------- Post added at 05:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:25 PM ----------

The inside pieces I mean. That is so awesome I have some that won't do well in my zone outside and my bedroom window is the best window we have....I gotta look into this!!!

It will be wonderful to have orchids in your bedroom!!! Initially, I purchased the less expensive soap holders, but they weren't deep enough and my pots kept falling out when I watered. It's worth paying for the deep shampoo bottles holders. I just saw an article that said BB&B is now beating Walmart and Target on prices. Post a picture when you set them up. I also have a fan hidden in that window, but don't know if it's necessary.