Cattleya dowiana variety rosita
 

Well, at least one of the C. dowianas has decided to bloom this summer (and, oddly enough, it's the smaller of the two plants in my collection). Only one bloom, but considering how much of a struggle (or, more accurately, long wait) I've experienced with this species to see a flower, I'm certainly not going to complain. The fragrance is fantastic too.

Steve
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Wow, what a wonderful flower. Great colour and love the veining in the lip.

I love the vening espeacially in the petals.

Steve,
Stunning colors! Congrats on this one blooming out! I killed my two rositas in the past year from sun burn.

Sorry to hear that, Steve. I'm actually amazed at how much light this species can take (or, perhaps, demands?). My plant's leaves are lighter than any of the other cattleya species I have, and they're very hard. I might be growing them a bit too bright, but I think it's what got this one to bloom (but, to be honest, since this is the first time I've been able to flower it, I really don't know what the cause was).

A very beautiful plant!

Wonderful Steve and congratulations!

Know who loves dowiana...that's right me!
Know who is a dowaina killer.....that's right me. :( My Nemesis!

Any tips?

Dave, I've had so much trouble with this one that I wouldn't even begin to know what to advise you, other than the standard line, "if it doesn't bloom try increasing the amount of light it gets." I don't water it that much in the winter either. Sorry, I know that's not much help. I'm just glad that this one is happy enough to bloom (or maybe it's terrified that I'm going to kill it and it decided to bloom out of desperation to pass on its genes).

Steve

Absolutely beautiful!
From what I understand this is a hard species to keep alive, let alone flower.
Congrats!

nice vaining