John M
Orchid Addict
This plant is also known as Cattleya Snow Blind 'Kenny'. It is suspected of being a hybrid. If it is, it's mostly walkeriana; but, the flower count is way too high (up to 6 on a single stem), and the plant growth habit is much taller with very skinny pseudobulbs, as compared to other walkerianas. Although, the flower does look like the real deal; but, that is only if you compare it to other "walkerianas" that also have lineage questions haunting them.....like walkeriana v. alba 'Pendentive'. Also, the fragrance is decidedly citrusy; very unlike the floral fragrance of my walkeriana v. coerulea 'Cho-Jo', which is unquestionally pure walkeriana. Then of course, there's the very free blooming habit of this plant. That is not what most people find to be the case with other walkerianas.
Regardless of it's true identity, it's a famous, vigorous grower and a prolific bloomer, making it a joy to have in a collection. It blooms 2 or 3 times a year for me in my greenhouse despite being dark from mid-October through to mid-February. This plant started out for me about 8 years ago as a 2 growth front lead division from a local orchid friend.
The flowers are VERY thick and heavy/waxy/hard and they last well. Sometimes it blooms from a leafless pseudobulb and sometimes, when it's received too much water before and during the development of the new growth, it blooms from a leafed pseudobulb. In nature, walkeriana blooms during and at the end of the dry season; so, the plant doesn't use up energy and water to make a leaf on the flowering pseudobulb.
The new growth reaches upwards, as any normal Cattleya does; but, as the many buds develop, they get heavy and slowly weigh down the growth to the point that it becomes pendant by the time the flowers open. Sometimes I support the new growths as they grow, so that they remain upright; but, this time I did not. I like the "wild" look.
Regardless of it's true identity, it's a famous, vigorous grower and a prolific bloomer, making it a joy to have in a collection. It blooms 2 or 3 times a year for me in my greenhouse despite being dark from mid-October through to mid-February. This plant started out for me about 8 years ago as a 2 growth front lead division from a local orchid friend.
The flowers are VERY thick and heavy/waxy/hard and they last well. Sometimes it blooms from a leafless pseudobulb and sometimes, when it's received too much water before and during the development of the new growth, it blooms from a leafed pseudobulb. In nature, walkeriana blooms during and at the end of the dry season; so, the plant doesn't use up energy and water to make a leaf on the flowering pseudobulb.
The new growth reaches upwards, as any normal Cattleya does; but, as the many buds develop, they get heavy and slowly weigh down the growth to the point that it becomes pendant by the time the flowers open. Sometimes I support the new growths as they grow, so that they remain upright; but, this time I did not. I like the "wild" look.
