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- Cattleya Alliance (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/cattleya-alliance/)

- - Cattleya maxima (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/cattleya-alliance/64326-cattleya-maxima.html)

This is a maxima I've had for several years now. It has coerulea parents, but bloomed as a tipo several years ago with very droopy petals, even for this species. Well, its been several years since I've left Hawaii and have found what this guy likes here in Texas. It is a highland variety and is therefore found on a much more compact plant than the lowland variety. It seems to really like the moderated indoor temps and grows under lights year round. This year it has actually put out four new growths! Anyway, now that I have orchids blooming for me again, I seem to have forgotten how to make my camera show the true colors, This plant has an almost neon or electric pink glow to it and I am very happy with the overall color and the more upright shape. Enjoy!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8...13e7dd99e3.jpg
Cattleya maxima by Isurus79, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8...0237fa456b.jpg
Cattleya maxima by Isurus79, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8...6aa55a7bb7.jpg
Cattleya maxima by Isurus79, on Flickr

That's a beautiful C. maxima. I love the design on the lip and the great color. Some colors are impossible to get right with digital photography. I have one of those compact maximas but mine is still small and hasn't bloomed. I bought it from an orchid grower from Ecuador who had both the tall and the short variety. I seem to have trouble with some cattleya species but my maxima has been growing exceptionally well here in South Florida. Since yours is doing well in Texas also, I assume it's a fairly hardy species. I hope my flowers will be as nice as yours. Thanks for posting the picture.

WOW!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! This is probably my favorite cattleya species! (though I have never grown one!) When you say "compact", how short are we talking here? I wonder if I have room....?

Thanks everyone!! :waving

Quote:

Originally Posted by tucker85 (Post 536955)

I seem to have trouble with some cattleya species but my maxima has been growing exceptionally well here in South Florida. Since yours is doing well in Texas also, I assume it's a fairly hardy species.

I was growing this one outside two summers ago and the temp went over 100F for well over two months and it grew like a champ! These guys are definitely very hardy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by InspirChid1712 (Post 536965)

WOW!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! When you say "compact", how short are we talking here? I wonder if I have room....?

I measure just over 12" from the top of the media to the tip of tallest leaf. The growths are fairly compact and don't seem to grow very far from previous growths either. I say go for it!!

Just gorgeous. This is becoming one of my favorite Catt. species.

Kim

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuvoc (Post 537005)

Just gorgeous. This is becoming one of my favorite Catt. species.

Kim

Me too! I should also mention this one has the conventional "Cattleya smell." Very nice, though not particularly powerful.

Beautiful flowers and photos, Steve. Nice work!

Really a beauty! Great growing!

Really a stunning lip on this one, Steve, and the colors (even if your camera may not have accurately captured them) are great too. And four new growths in one year--in hot-as-blazes Texas?! Very cool. Might have to try one of these.

Thanks DJB and Steve!

@Steve- I actually kept this one inside all year and my apartment only gets up to about 82 degrees during the summer and 69 at night, so the temperature range is not as huge as the 'chids I throw outside for the summer (ie. Catt walkeriana, nobilior, amethystoglossa, leopoldii and Stan. reichenbachiana).