NOID Cattleya - Orchid Board

MattWoelfsen · #1 09-03-2013, 10:37 PM

This is a very small Cattleya plant. When it arrived three weeks ago, it had two flowers. Those died within three days. Then last week, it produced these two flower buds. Both buds opened this past Sunday. The vendor told me this orchid came from Japan. The vendor told me it had pink flowers but I would describe the color as light lavender. It came potted in sphagnum moss.

Any idea what this Cattleya could be? Thanks for any suggestions.

Leafmite · #2 09-03-2013, 11:03 PM

I have no idea what it is but I really like it. Is it fragrant?

MattWoelfsen · #3 09-03-2013, 11:16 PM

Hi Leafmite, yes it has a very subtle generic orchid flower smell especially right now. During the day the scent diminishes. I was away Sunday and got home at night fall. I smelled it when I walked into the screened in porch where this plant resides. Two little flowers scented the entire room.

Leafmite · #4 09-04-2013, 12:01 AM

Sounds really nice. It must have some brassavola in it for the night fragrance, I'm guessing. Nice find!

MattWoelfsen · #5 09-04-2013, 12:03 AM

Thank you Leafmite.

Leafmite · #6 09-04-2013, 12:51 AM

Brassavola digbyana hybrid? If you have the vendor's email, tell him how much you love the orchid and ask him if he can attempt to discover more about this orchid for you. It is worth a try.

MattWoelfsen · #7 09-04-2013, 11:04 AM

I went on the internet to look up this Brassavola digbyana-->that is a lovely flower! I wish I could see one in "person". I am happy with the flower form on my plant but that flower you indicated is really lovely. I've shied away from Brassavola as they are expensive (relatively speaking) and for me, hard to grow. I got a Bras. years ago and I promptly killed it.

I'm going to do as you suggested and contact the vendor. Leafmite, I really appreciate your input!

Leafmite · #8 09-04-2013, 07:08 PM

Brassavolas do really well mounted. I have three now and two are bare-root mounted and one, a very small division, is sitting in a net pot, no medium (I mean to mount it...someday). Hope that helps if you want to try them ever again.
I have emailed or called vendors and they have always been very nice and answered my questions. It is often the only choice in identifying a tagless orchid (unless you get lucky and find a tag down in the pot). Good luck!