Oncidium splendidum

Cattleya mossiae semi-alba

This plant is the result of the cross Blanca x Aurora.  The six flowers each have about a 7 inch spread, petals about 3 inches wide.  This was one of the first Cattleya species plants I acquired.  The fact that it is still with us despite the early shoddy treatment it received is a testament to its vigor.

The 2011 blooming is very much like the 2010 blooming, with two exceptions.  First, the flowers are about a month later than last year (similar to the C. Stonehouse blooming).  Second, there is more color in the lip this year than there was last year.  I would guess these two factors are correlated with something else - reduced temperature?

C. Stonehouse

Almost all blooms are open now - over 30 of them all around the plant.

The Florists' Manual (1906) - Orchids

Found a free version of this impressive old work, which was intended for commercial growers  There is a neat section on orchids with some old photos.  Naturally, Cattleya figures prominently.  Make sure you click on through the links at the bottom of each page to see all parts of the book relating to orchids.

Cattleya skinneri 'Heiti Jacobs'

This is a mericlone - a first bloom for me. 

Cattleya intermedia

First blooming.  Really like this - no fragrance yet.

C. Stonehouse

My C. Stonehouse specimen has just started to bloom and will probably be in bloom for about 3 months.  This year there are 13 or 14 growths that will bloom.  This winter I decided that at the right time I will take a division for myself and sell the rest of the plant - it takes up a lot of space in my small temporary greenhouse.  We'll see if I still feel this way when the plant is done blooming.

As you can see, the blooms are big and colorful.  They are also fragrant and long-lasting.  And the plant grows like a weed.  What more could you want?