Brassocattleya or Brasso-cattleya, abbreviated Bc. in the horticultural trade, is an intergeneric orchid hybrid from the genera Brassavola and Cattleya.
Brassocattleya (Bc.) Maikai = Brassavola (B.) nodosa X Cattleya (C.) bowringiana, primary hybrid crossed by Hirose and registered in 1944. This was awarded by AOS 50 years ago.
There are three clones of Maikai: 'Mayumi', 'Lea', 'Louise'.
Lavender and cream with dark purple speckles.
I also found out from reading that the flower clones 'Lea' and 'Luise' do not fade, while 'Mayumi' fades and produce flowers that can have several shades and then gradually turn white, right before they fall off.
One distinct feature is that the back of the petals is more colorful than the front.
The Cattleya is the pollen parent that provided the hybrid its lavender color; whereas: Brassavola is the seed parent that contributed its fragrance, the shapes of the leaves, and its spots. (The spots are rarely noticed on the white flowers of the Brassavola except if it is exposed to high humidity).
This orchid plant can easily grow to specimen size. Maikai is a fall to winter bloomer; I am lucky that I was able to photograph the flower in an overcast sky (before the snow storm) that the camera captures the real color ….
Brassocattleya Maikai ‘Louise’ AM/AOS
Threaded Mode
