Cattleya dowiana
 

Cattleya dowiana 6-21-2009 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/isurus7...n/photostream/
Cattleya dowiana 6-21-2009 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

When I saw buds in the sheath a few weeks ago I was sooo happy! Then I saw this guys open in all its glory and I was speachless.

I have to say that H&R cranks out the BEST orchids on the planet!!! While I've grown this one since I got it as a large seedling about 3 or 4 years ago, I have to give a lot of credit to H&R for the stunning parents that they consistently use in their breeding. :bowing

The dark coloration of this particular flower is truly more than I could have hoped for!!!!!!!:biggrin:

Ok, enough gushing......:blushing:

Enjoy!!

what lovely patterning on the lip!!! you are right to gush! its beautiful!!! good growing!

No kidding. It's absolutely beautiful! Great job and thanks for sharing :)

Very nice! Mine are still young plants... maybe next year I see some of these spectacular flowers!

Wow
 

Steve,

These are a special favorite of mine. Even the "ordinary" specimens are beautiful, and yours is a really nice one. I had one several years, and it struggled, never bloomed and finally gave up; all while my other Catt's were thriving.

I want to get another one, but I was obviously doing something wrong previously.

Any culture tips?

Thanks.

Ed

Steve...:yikes:...that is fantabulous!!! You do have the right to gush, as was previously stated. :D

It looks to me to be a var. rosita, which is usually indicated by the red/orange hue in the sepals and petals.

You've done well kid, you've done well! :nod: :nod: Congratulations, and thanks for sharing with us!!!!

Wow, that's just stunning! Great growing and thanks for sharing!

Thanks all! I am truly happy to have this particular plant! I'm hoping that when my 'rositas' bloom (next year?) I will have the beginnings of some nice broodstock. We shall see!

Ed,
Yes, I do have a culture tip....Buy from H&R! lol But in all honesty, I don't do anything different for this plant than for any of the others. Its in a basket (with only large sized bark) so it dries quickly, gets enough sun to give it an apple green to yellowish color (which shouldn't be a problem for you in Tucson!) and the same fert regimen that all my 'chids get (ie. a balanced fert for most of the year with fish fert mixed in each month). Oh, I should mention that my house receives TONS of constant air movement in the form of trade winds which I would guess average 10mph year round. Maybe that is the key to these guys? After all, they do live in the tree tops of their natural habitat. Tons of air movement, plenty of light and quick drying media.

Absolutely beautiful, Steve. How's the fragrance? Strong, yes (at least that's what I've read)? Very beautiful bloom. Now just try to keep your voracious slug population away from it!

Steve

Wow :yikes: it's really fantastic. Such great pics as well :love: