First bloom C. maxima
 

My Cattleya maxima finally opened! I didn't think it would start blooming this year but it put out a really nice flower. It is a first time bloomer on quite a small plant. I noticed that there are some really nice striations in the petals, does this make it a var. striata? I have no idea how to name these things. I imagine that it was a seed grown plant and was sold with the name C. maxima. The color is very pale when it opened but is a nice lavender now after a few weeks. Let me know what you think, do the patterns make it more special or desirable or are they more common? This is my first maxima. Thanks.

Very nice. It seems it might be unuaual and likely can be called var. striata. I'm no expert on it tho. But I looked at the many pics in OrchidWiz and didn't notice one striated one or any called var. striata. It does seem to be a maxima with the characteristic yellow strip up the centre of the throat.

Maybe people more in the know will give an opinion.

I'm curious where yours came from. I just got one this fall from Peru Flora

Very nice!

I got it as a seedling from the old Oak Hill Gardens, back when they shipped orchids

So pretty. Nice big bloom on a small plant.

Good looking color! Very unusual.

It is an early bloomer! Gives me hope for my seedlings.

Beautiful color!

Very pretty, congrats!

very good color, and good shape, whats the cross name?

looks like the high land maxima. how big is the flower?

very nice, congrats

There is no cross info on the tag, it was just labelled as maxima and didn't specify which region. I would guess the flower is 4-5 inches, it is growing in a 4 in pot. But maybe the next blooms will be larger since this was a first time bloomer.

very pretty

Congrats...

If the background color is white (no pink blush on front or back of petals and sepals), it would be considered var semi-alba striata. I have a division of maxima var semi-alba striata 'Manolo' AM/AOS that looks very similar. When happy and strong, it can produce 3-5 flowers per spike!

If pink is evident in the petals/sepals, it is var striata.

What is total height of pseudobulbs and leaves? If taller than 12 inches, likely lowland, otherwise highland variety. Growing conditions differ slightly. Tall lowlands need warmer winter nights; >65F...


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I think the striations are caused by mild peloricism, as their pattern mimics the lip.

Interesting, is that a trait that will stay with the plant? Or will it change from blooming to blooming?

Nice one! Congratulations!

Sometimes you will need to rebloom to see if trait is stable or a one off. If stable, it will always bloom that way, with strengths of stripes darker or lighter depending on temperatures. The cooler it is the darker.


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