C. maxima
 

The theme for this one could be pretty in pink, or fairy bells hehehe

There's another spike and buds forming on a different bulb. And these flowers are the first to open up for this round. The first pic is the buds - a few days ago. The flower buds only started to do the 'split' thing yesterday, and was able to take advantage of the early morning sun for some flower pics.

Google drive links (higher res) :

Pic 1 link
Pic 2 link
Pic 3 link

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1622068774


http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1622068774


http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1622068774

Lovely, love the lip patterning.

Ive read some have fragrance, any on your plant?

Nice question Diane! I will check for you to see if this one has a scent!

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Update: It was a bit breezy this evening, and I didn't detect a fragrance yet. But I will test again in the morning!

Just adding a couple more nice pics taken this morning. The lip has unfurled now, and the tepals have developed more colour.

Google drive links (higher res) :

Pic 1 link
Pic 2 link

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1622159745

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1622159745

Hi again Diane! This morning wasn't as breezy as in the evening, and I think I detected a faint nice fragrance. Although there was some air-flow in the growing area, so I will wait for a time when there's no flow at all, and take a really good 'sample'! Normally, I could just carry the orchid indoors and smell ----- but this one is in quite a big pot actually, and filled with scoria -- relatively heavy --- quite bulky this one. But it's ok ----- the air-flow won't always be there! I'll be able to get some proper samples soon!

Dark & beautiful

Beautiful!

Maxima is one of my favourite cattleyas and I like all varieties of it.

Love it, great species and well grown!

My Cattleya maxima var coerulea “Alexandria” is about to bloom for the first time, hope the flowers are this nice :)

Very pretty!!! My cærulea just opened up too!! It has a faint sweet floral fragrance.

It's always an absolute pleasure to share orchid pics here ---- especially when my orchid friends here are enjoying viewing the photos, and even some making such very nice comments - that's all of you. An absolute pleasure!!

MGP ----- thanks for mentioning that the coerulea has some fragrance! C.H. ----- first time bloom is always special --- looking very forward to hearing about when this one opens, and seeing that one too!

J.J. ------ I can see what you mean! I was surprised about the number of varieties or variations in this particular species. Quite astonishing!