Laeliocattleya Frank Lloyd Wright 'York'
 

This crazy little Catt came to me 4 months ago, potbound, in sheath. Its newest sheathed growth was considerably smaller than previous growths. When I saw budding new roots, I repotted in early November, despite seeing buds forming in the sheath. I ended up cutting off 3 old leafless growths, and half of its roots (which were extensive). I expected it would blast the buds after such an extensive hack job and repot…

But the buds never stopped and it’s been blooming since Christmas—very early for this beautiful hybrid that normally blooms March-May. The flowers are smaller—4.5”—as this hybrid is known for large 6”+ blooms. But I’m thrilled to have Catt blooms at the New Year. No fragrance yet, but my fingers are crossed…!

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Two famous parents. I wonder why we don't see this often?

Yeah, great question…? I was impressed by the parentage (I’ve grown Drumbeat and Horace in the past—which were bigger plants), but bought it as it was grown outdoors by Santa Barbara Orchid Estates, and I grow outdoors in spring-summer here in NorCal.

It’s a Hausermann creation, and they posted pics of a mature plant in bloom last spring on Instagram. Their plants were almost was as compact as mine but with enormous blooms that dwarfed the plant.

If you like big frilly purple Catt hybrids on more compact plants, Frank Lloyd Wright ‘York’ is a no-brainer! Best $75 I’ve spent in ages…!

Very nice pictures!

Thanks. I was pretty pleased with them too, considering they were taken under a quality 5500K (with UVB in its spectrum) compact florescent bulb with my 4 year old iPad…! They’re absolutely unretouched.

Califoutdoors, I don’t know what to say but I’m glad you woke me up. I haven’t till now noticed the difference in the pics I take. But I have to say they show up 100% better on my mini-iPad. So the next ones I send to anywhere, I will be using my IPad to send them.
Thanks a million!

👍 Glad it helped!

Great-looking blooms. I would definitely expect a good fragrance from these after they've been open three to five days or so. Congratulations on the find at SBOE. I didn't think that they were still selling many plants these days. It's nice to be mistaken in this case.