Cattleya trianae 'Cashen's' FCC/AOS
 

I got this division about 2.5 years ago from the famous collection of Steven Kristoffersen in California. The flowers this year opened quite shapely and large. At about 15 cm NS it is quite regal, showing why it deserved the FCC. The dark lavender colour, the flares on the tepals and the deep golden yellow throat make the flower such a beauty to behold. Apparently a great breeder too with it's progeny getting awards at the shows.

Sorry my Tapatalk app is not working with OB (anyone with this problem too?) so using browser and pics are sideways. Don't know how to correct...

A real beauty

What a gorgeous Catt! Id be so afraid to have such great and awarded plants at home, I'd be too afraid of killing them.

About tapatalk, it no longer works with OB due to OB's tapatalk plugin being outdated. When and if this will be fixed is unknown.

A beauty!

Nicely grown Leslie!

I do not wish to offend anyone, but I have never liked this clone because I feel that its not representative of C. trianaei as found in nature. To me, it looks more like the average offspring of a 1960s LC. Culminant hybrid than a superior example of the species. Sorry, but it just doesn't work for me - its been "cleaned up" too much by selective breeding.

It's very pretty--even sideways. I agree with Whimgrinder that it's bordering a little on the hybrid side as far as its looks go (in the same sense that many of the modern and so-called improved Vanda coeruleas have come so far that they don't really much resemble the original species any longer).

But all of that being said, you still have an outstanding plant, Leslie, and I'm not sure how anyone who admires cattleyas wouldn't be envious of you. Congratulations on the wonderful blooms. Are they fragrant?

Steve

Thanks all for the comments. It is indeed a very impressive flower that towers over most of my 'natural' looking trianaes (I have about 30 different varieties/divisions). Because trianaes were so popular as cut flowers in the early part of the century, thousands of plants were torn from their habitats, grown, flowered and discarded (sad!). Only the very best survived and were nurtured till today, including this one. If I am not wrong, this fragrant one was handpicked by the late Tom Fennell from South America during his trip there (60s or 80s). I heard that it might be a selected one from the jungle.

Trianaes in general have very good shape, esp the best from the jungle collected (like lueddemanianas and quadricolors). Indeed, I collect ones with good color and shapes because they are appealing to me. I do however appreciate species with starry flowers like the bifoliates (violaceas, tenuis, bicolors, tigrinas to name a few).

Having around 30 different varieties of Cattleya trianae must give you quite a display during their blooming season. That's a pretty impressive collection. I agree that the shape of trianae is (as you mentioned, like lueddemanniana) very good, and your 'Cashens' in particular is excellent. Looking forward to seeing some more from your collection as they flower.

Love that closeup--the colors are beautiful!

It's gorgeous.