Bifolate Cattleya Orchid with White Blooms
 

Hey everyone! I've had this orchid for a bit over a year, and it has just decided to bloom for me this spring for the first time. At first I was slightly disappointed by the white blooms, but they've since grown on me, and I love the shape of these flowers and how hardy the plant itself is.

Does anyone have any idea what kind of Cattleya alliance orchid this is? Or can you at least narrow it down for me somewhat? The plant is bifolate, and has enlongated narrow psuedobulbs. It grows quickly when it is in a growth cycle, this most recent sheath that is blooming went from being a tiny growth to what you see now over the course of around three months. It has thrived outdoors in Houston, TX weather (hot and humid, with a mild winter), cheerfully enduring everything I've thrown at it.

The flowers are not fragrant, and they measure 3 inches across. The pseudobulbs do not get taller than 6 inches.

http://i.imgur.com/zwxvi0l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/iu3taNs.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kqefNkn.jpg

Thank you for your help! Sorry about the first couple of photos being a bit dark, the weather has been cloudy and drizzly here.

It looks to me like a Catt. walkeriana 'alba', but I'm no Catt. specialist. Anyone else care to comment?

Thank you for your help, I think you might be right! :)

Edit: Actually, your post pointed me in the right direction, but I think that this orchid is a Cattleya intermedia fma. alba! See here:Cattleya intermedia fma. alba at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

I agree it's more likely an intermedia or intemedia hybrid, and not a walkeriana.

Have you tried sniffing it at different times of the day, and when the sun shines on it?

looks like intermedia X loddigesii, an alba form.

It is beautiful, whatever the name!

I think you nailed it.

Goodness I would be so happy with that, but then I like the whites.

No I haven't, it's been quite overcast here (and will be for the next few days) so it hasn't been getting much direct sunlight, which could account for the lack of scent. My dendrobiums are happily smelling up the patio by themselves even without the sun, haha. I'll try giving it a whiff in the evening and see if it has any scent then.

Whimgrinder: Looking up the photos and descriptions of that orchid, I agree with you. I think that's what this little guy is. Thank you so much!

AndreaK: Thanks! :biggrin:

No-Pro-mwa: I'm very happy with it, the blooms have grown on me. I think, since I had no idea what the blooms would look like, I was hoping for something crazy... but I've come to love the simple white blooms on this guy. The flower shape is quite attractive as well. I got this one at an orchid show last year, out of a box of assorted No-ID orchids that were thrown together and being sold for $5 a pop, so I'd say I really lucked out. It's so hardy, and easy to care for, I couldn't really ask for better.