C Walkeriana

[judith_arquette]

How exciting! Can't wait to see the bloom ♡

[Leafmite]

Looking forward to seeing it, too. Perhaps it is a Mini Purple. They are really fantastic.

[orchidsarefun]

its still opening, but what the heck.....

Is it a walkeriana ? Couple of things - bloom is not off a mature pbulb. The pbulb 'thingy' grew and then the bloom.
Also - per OrchidWiz, it CAN happen that a bloom arises from where this did. There are 62 cultivars of Walkeriana mentioned in OrchidWiz. No scent yet - but blooms are supposed to be highly fragrant ? I don't know if its going to flatten...

I'm sending the photo to the breeder to see what he says.

[orchidsarefun]

Breeder sent me an e-mail confirmation - "(C. walkeriana 'pendentive' X C. walkeriana coerulea) so it is still a C. walkeriana not a hybrid"


this post is also interesting
C. walkeriana (not) ‘Kenny’
As far as I am aware, 'pendentive' is still recognised by AOS as a walkeriana.

[Aki_James]

Very Beautiful!!! What a great colour on this one. I love walkeriana. It's true that there is so much debate on what they consider a true walkeriana. I have C. walkeriana var semi-alba and have read that they don't consider this a walkeriana but a hybrid cross....I don't really pay much attention to what the pros say anymore in regards to things such as this as they seem to change their mind as often as I change clothes...lol...any who it is absolutely stunning!!! Great growing!!

[plumania]

It is a lovely flower. Walkerianas are my favorite.....any color. Their fragrance is awesome.

[Leafmite]

Wow! I'll bet you are happy!

I figure with my orchids that if a reliable breeder/vendor confirms it, then I am not going to argue. There is quite a bit of variation in these orchids due to breeding. Many 'tame' species orchids look different or have different characteristics (lack of fragrance, for one) than the wild species or other clones of the species.

[bethmarie]

Beautiful!! Will you go into minute detail on how you're growing it? Looks like you're making it very happy. I have divisions of a couple of walkeriana crosses that are struggling. Course, they are divisions and trying to get established, so that's it's own thing. But I still want to know what makes yours thrive. Do you let it go quite dry between waterings? Is it in bark or something else? Thanks for sharing

[isurus79]

This is definitely a hybrid. First of all, its a descendant from 'Pendentive,' which is a parent of 'Kenny;' a well known hybrid.

Next, the side-lobes on this one merge into the lip, which is a dead give-away that its a hybrid. Finally, the large white "splotch" on the lip is also indicative of a hybrid walkeriana. Going by the lineage and the look of the flower, its very likely that loddigesii is in the background of this plant. It still very nice and I hope that the walkeriana scent comes in for you as the flower matures.

[orchidsarefun]

hmmm...I am not the expert, that's for sure. I've had this, with multiple divisions when I got it, since August 2012. It did grow a pbulb and roots every year though.
In the last year I changed culture and did the following -
- repotted into a shallow pot ( 'azalea' pot )
- used orchiata fine bark only
- watered only when pot felt light, compared to heavy when watered. Only in the early mornings too. So I suppose I do let dry out between waterings
- only used fertiliser roughly 1x per month. I have used about 3 different brands, alternating.
- had it in an unshaded south-facing window. It gets quite a bit of sun as a result.
- temps, probably a minimum of 70f and a max in the 80's, all year round.
The above isn't exactly what the experts say is required - especially the temps. Maybe this took so long to bloom because it was acclimating to my conditions ! I am going to be a really happy chappie if I get it to rebloom. That would be something.....

---------- Post added at 10:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:21 PM ----------

Originally Posted by isurus79

This is definitely a hybrid. First of all, its a descendant from 'Pendentive,' which is a parent of 'Kenny;' a well known hybrid.

Next, the side-lobes on this one merge into the lip, which is a dead give-away that its a hybrid. Finally, the large white "splotch" on the lip is also indicative of a hybrid walkeriana. Going by the lineage and the look of the flower, its very likely that loddigesii is in the background of this plant. It still very nice and I hope that the walkeriana scent comes in for you as the flower matures.

Both 'Kenny' and 'Pendentive' have received numerous AOS awards as walkeriana - the species. If these have been withdrawn, please supply a link as they are still on the latest AOS awards listing. That, and the breeder ( he has over 30 registrations ) saying its walkeriana, is good enough for me. I realise there is a lot of discussion about the subject but until its official, then that is all it is ?
Meant to add the breeder is also an AOS judge. I don't believe he is going to mislead as what would be the point....