C. forbesii
 

Following on from this nice thread - link - and after the new orchid came in ----- and now repotted into my own media of choice - and noticing that the flower held up reasonably well in the post, I took a couple of phone-pics of the flower. It smells like clothes ironing spray ------ slightly lemony - but with ironing spray smell added -- not too bad hehe.

This flower is expected to be toward the latest stages of bloom. The lines and colouring on the tepals have faded a fair bit. Still looking nice and elegant though.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=v...krfIQUbYhAT1yF

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=v...1YF3sfykweENr-

Nice thing about C. forbesii is that it blooms 2 or 3 times a year, unlike most Catts especially species.

I like it! It's not an easy species to find over here. Congrats on the bloom.

If you have a chance to find one, also consider C Quinquecolor - aclandiae x forbesii ... it has fragrance and attractive flowers from aclandiae, multiple bloomings a year (as well as great temperature tolerance) from forbesii . @smweaver, that one might be available from Santa Barbara Orchid Estate (where I got mine). SP, perhaps one of the Australian growers has made it, a really robust primary hybrid,

Thanks Roberta. I'll keep an eye out for that one. I just looked it up a moment ago. Quinquecolor is a nice one indeed. LINK (page 4).

Thank you, Roberta. I'll give Wayne a call.

Steve

Yes, my plant (and newsletter..). Also http://orchidcentral.org/Images/Catt...inquecolor.jpg and http://orchidcentral.org/Images/Catt...inquecolor.jpg

SM ----- I always remember fairorchids and thefish1337, that showed pics of their beautiful forbesii orchid flower(s). Do you grow forbesii too? Thanks for posting SM - as always!

Excellent photographs Roberta. Very beautiful flowers. The shapes - and the pink attractive colour around the column and lip and sidelobes area - are very appealing, with the dash of yellow around the lip. Extremely nice.

Cattleya forbesii isn't recommended enough: its a great beginner orchid, first Cattleya and first bifoliate Cattleya. Mine is just putting out a bloom. I obtained an alba version of this plant from Miranda Orchids which I'm excited to see bloom.