Cattleya whitei

[Regelian]

A cross between C. schilleriana and C. warneri, Cattleya whitei is apparently found in the wilds, as well as the greenhouse. A smallish plant with large, waxy flowers. Interesting lip, but the general colouring is rather poor in this specimen.

With and with-out flash.

Jamie

[isurus79]

Cool! How is the scent?

[Regelian]

Unfortunately barely detectable, but there is a slight 'freshness'.
I was just wondering what one could cross with it, such as a stone Laelia in violet or lavender, to maintain the size and substance, but improve the colour. I don't have many Cat-Laelia in the collection. Maybe Encyclia cordigera?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Regelian

Maybe Encyclia cordigera?

Do it! Only one way to find out if the cross increases the scent.

[WhiteRabbit]

Very nice!

[No-Pro-mwa]

I think it's beautiful.

[PaphMadMan]

This takes after C. schilleriana more than most in terms of shape. The petal color is muted, but the lip has great color and pattern.

Minor point on the name - correctly C. x whitei if it comes from a natural hybrid population, C. Whitei for a man-made cross. Do you know which this is? If you're going to breed with it, it would make a difference in terms of hybrid registration, but also could make a difference in expected outcome.

If it is a first generation man-made schilleriana x warneri, the most interesting breeding would be to self it and see the range of sizes, colors and scents you get as traits from the parents segregate. It would also be important to label it in a way that it would not be misconstrued as a natural hybrid if any were distributed.

If it is the natural hybrid it may not be a first generation direct cross and you wouldn't necessarily see the same kind of segregation.

E. cordigera crosses with Catts can be very nice, but they often end up looking a lot like every other E. x C. cross. I'd be more inclined to cross this with something like C. walkeriana or C. (L.) pumila.

[Regelian]

Again, quite correct with the naming. I do get sloppy on forums, which is really against the purpose! Keep keeping me on my toes, mate.

I do not know if it is natural or greenhouse. Apparently imported from Brazil, possibly from Buena Vista, which would mean an artificial hybrid (in most of their plants). It was a seedling when I got it, which supports this further. Maybe I would make a selfing. I try to avoid them, preferring sib crosses. I would like to see a proper branching, rather than the Catt-cluster, which made me think of Encyclia. Also, compacter growth. I have my eye on an E. granatica, but no flowers at the moment. In any case., I'll store the pollen. Maybe with one of the stone Laelia (I can't legitimize them in Cattleya. Simply not logical, but, yes, a new genus seems appropriate). They bloom later in the season for me.

Spring has sprung in my area and I'm moving many Dendros outside. Love this time of year.