My First Cattleya

[seaj]

I have never really wanted to grow cattleyas before simply because of their higher light requirements and bulkiness, but I couldn't resist this one. I got it from the farmer's market for $10. The man who runs this particular stand now recognizes me when I walk by. He usually has small selection of mini/compact cattleyas that are advertised as fragrant, but I've yet to detect anything. The tag in the pot is blank, though another vendor did have tagged compact cattleyas present. The unifoliate plant is in a 4 inch pot with 10 pbulbs.

Can anyone provide any clues about its parentage?

Assuming I can keep this thing alive, should I always expect this plant to bloom around this time of year? One pbulb has already bloomed, one is blooming, and a third has 4 buds.

I had to bike home with this plant dangling from my handlebars in a paper bag so it is not as happy as is once was.







I should really stay away from the farmer's market, but there's almost always something new each week.

[Tindomul]

Very pretty what ever it is. It does look unique though so ID might be easier than expected.

[kindrag23]

Gorgeous!!

[silken]

What a cutie! I don't know what it is tho. As for when to expect it to bloom again, they all differ. Some only bloom once a year and have a rest and growth cycle. Others don't take much of a rest and produce blooms on every new growth. Many of the mini cats are known for blooming on most new growths. So you could get blooms several times a year.

[Leafmite]

Absolutely beautiful! I don't know what it is either. What a great find, though!

[FSUOrchids]

Just a guess, but it looks like a Potinara hybrid

[dounoharm]

wow! you got a deal for $10!!!! heck you got flowers, buds, and a new growth which should flower too!! you cant buy cut flowers that last that long or are half as beautiful!! name or no name, you got a real deal there!! there wont be a way to identify it without a tag, there are just too many hybrids out there, but man, you sure got a winner! good luck with it!!

[NYCorchidman]

love the color!

[annak]

Wow! Super lovely plant and flowers!

[cbuchman]

Very nice! Noid or not, it is very pretty. Does the tag have the vendor name? Maybe you could call the person who sold it to you or the grower if one is identified.