Cattleya (Laelia) colnagoi

[naoki]

This is a fairly recently described species (originally as Hoffmannseggella colnagoi, 2008). I can't find much info about it, and I'm not familiar with this group. So I'm not sure if the ID is correct. I'd like to hear what the differences between the related species are and if this is really the named species (and cultural and habitat tips). Are there any good books (taxonomy, ecology, biology) about rupicolous Laelia?

Here is some beautiful habitat photos of this species (and interesting interview): Orchid News 28

I got it originally from Florália (Brazil) in May 2013, when they visited Redland. I'm very happy with their plants, and I highly recommend them (you have a higher chance of loss due to the international importation, though). Even though I'm not familiar with rupicolous Laelia, I managed to get most of them acclimated (well, some of them are still at the border line). I haven't figured out the cultivation of this species yet, and the blooming is probably from the left-over of Floralia's good culture. I'm guessing that it produced only a single flower because it is not fully recovered from importation.


Cattleya (Laelia) colnagoi on Flickr


Cattleya (Laelia) colnagoi front on Flickr


Cattleya (Laelia) colnagoi lip on Flickr


Cattleya (Laelia) colnagoi whole plant on Flickr

I wanted to get the background of the first 2 photos a bit brighter, but I didn't feel like bringing out another speed light...

[james mickelso]

Remember that most commercial growers grow warm, very bright, with lots of air movement. Thos three conditions are the norm throughout the commercial orchid trade. When we get them we don't duplicate these conditions and the plants suffer. Smaller flowers. Less vigor. Slower growth. And yet we water them more. That's the picture. Once they become established in our environment they usually do ok.

[euplusia]

Beautiful Laelia. Thanks for sharing the link with elaborate first hand habitat information.

[plumania]

It is lovely. 3rd picute is the best because it shows the whole plant and proportions but in other 2 since I can see flower details and it is very pretty.
Reminds me of Dendrobium unicum because of the colors and those orange veins.

[tuvoc]

Cool.

Kim

[silken]

Very nice. Love the rich orange colour.

[isurus79]

Very cool looking species!

[Paul]

Awesome color! How large is the plant?

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Cute and interesting flower!

[WhiteRabbit]

Beautiful!