The orchid portrait of Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana fma. alba is one of my favorites of this year ... but I might almost always say that for an alba form -- a particular love in our collection. We also grow the type color form of this species, and they are a stunning combination when in bloom … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana fma. alba
Cattleya (Laelia) purpurata ‘SanBar Venosa’
The best of our summer orchid blooming comes from the Brazilian Cattleya. While the Cymbidium are mostly in growing-mode, with the exception of the Australian species, the Laelia (Cattleya) species from Brazil are in fine form. Our seasonal temperatures tend to vary considerably now; however, the … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) purpurata ‘SanBar Venosa’
Leptotes bicolor
Leptotes is a favorite genus from Brazil, and we even have a dedicated "Leptotes Land" for our small collection of species. The largest of the species is Leptotes bicolor, which is found as both the type form photographed here, and an album form. The outstanding bloom of this particular orchid … [Read more...] about Leptotes bicolor
Cattleya (Laelia) fidelensis
From bud to bloom ... one of my favorite flowering series of photographs of an orchid. Laelia (Cattleya) fidelensis is rather uncommon in cultivation. Its name comes from the place where it was first discovered: the Sao Fidelis mountains near Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. That being said, the more … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) fidelensis
Cattleya (Laelia) alaorii
Near perfection in an orchid flower: subtle, delicate color and symmetry in the flower of Cattleya (Laelia) alaorii 'TON Too'. This species is a wonderfully adaptable, compact, and easy grower for us. It resides on the shadier side of our bench of rupiculous Laelia, with a few other members of the … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) alaorii
Cattleya (Laelia) grandis
Distinctive, majestic, and elegant are adjectives that come to mind for Laelia (Cattleya) grandis, a Brazilian orchid species. As with other Brazilian Laelia, this species has migrated to the genus Cattleya, though few orchid growers have adopted the change in common usage. It is relatively … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) grandis
Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana
Another of the orchid gems that my husband convinced me to bring home ... and I am very pleased that we did. This Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana was available at the sale of an orchid collection, and it was clearly a victim of the common problem with this group of Brazilian Laelia -- being potted in … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana
Leptotes pauloensis
A very small and uncommon species from Brazil: Leptotes pauloensis. While it has the similar succulent-like leaves as the more familiar and larger species, Leptotes bicolor, the flowers are quite distinct. We are also fortunate to have a plant of the album form of Leptotes pauloensis (image … [Read more...] about Leptotes pauloensis
