This cattleya has flowers of substance

[Leucadian]

This Cattleya Orchidglade first bloomed on July 14, and is only now is starting to fade, a full month later. I'm really impressed with how sturdy the blossoms are, and wonder what in its background produces the longevity. According to orchidroots.org, its parentage is:

50.0% L. splendida
27.34% C. dowiana
12.5% C. cinnabarina
3.91% C. xanthina
3.13% Rl. digbyana
2.34% C. bicolor
0.78% C. wallisii

I've commented on the color change before, maybe that's a hint. I've only had this for 6 months, so this is the first time it's bloomed for me. The photos were taken on 7/14, 7/28, 8/15.

Are there other cats that have blossoms with substance like this?

[Leafmite]

I love the different colors! It is really beautiful! The longevity is definitely not from the dowiana.

[No-Pro-mwa]

It's hard to imagine that it changes color so dramatically, but it's like have 2 different plants. Very cool.

[jcec1]

That's like buy one get one free. I've never seen such a dramatic colour change.

[PaphMadMan]

Flowers of Laelia (Schomburgkia) splendida are described as waxy and long lived, so as a parent of this hybrid that is certainly the major factor in sturdy flowers that last. It isn't a very commonly used species in breeding because it has some less desirable traits as well, but this cross is very nice. I'll try to remember to do a little research into other hybrids from it when I get a chance.

On the other side of the family is C. bicolor. Probably a minor contributor here from at least 6 generations back, but it does make some very heavy textured sturdy hybrids, as does the similar C. guttata and the bifoliate Cattleyas in general. Cattlianthe Chocolate Drop (C. guttata x Gur. aurantiaca) is one you should look for if you like sturdy waxy flowers.

[Leucadian]

Thanks for the comments. Not only does it last a long time, change colors, but it is fragrant to boot. And I got it at the local OS for next to nothing. It grew well, although one inflorescence blasted for some unknown reason.

PaphMadMan- I have a Chocolate Drop cross that hasn't bloomed yet: C. Chocolate Drop x BLC Memoria Benigno Aquino, which has both forbesii and bicolor in its very diluted ancestry.

[Tindomul]

Beautiful!

[Leucadian]

Update: Last week it threw 2 new spikes, with 4 buds each, 6 months after the photos in the opening post. I do like this plant!

[dounoharm]

crazy good!! love it!!