It is cattleya blooming season once again, This particular cattleya hybrid is one of the more popular hybrid grown within our neighborhood vicinity. This type of cattleya can bloom up to three times a year, given proper fertilization and cultivation techniques.
Cattleya hybrid ( photo taken around November 4, 2018)
We suspect that the name of this is hybrid is Cattlianthe Portia or Porcia which is a primary hybrid of Guarianthe bowringiana x Cattleya labiata.
Our old time neighbor gave us a few cuttings way back in 1991 which got them from her mother-in law who grew tried growing them at their North Fairview residence for at least 10 years.
She brought a few pots of this cattleya hybrid along with some Dendrobium hybrids, Oncidiums, native orchids ( Dendrobium anosmum, Dendrobium crumenatum) and started dividing them during the onslaught of the rainy season.
Within 5 years period ( from 1991 to 1996 ), Our neighbor was able to propagate the cattleya hybrid to more than 120 clumps which she grew in different types of medium from old kakawate trunks, tree fern slabs, terracotta pots then hanging them at their perimeter walls even mounted a few of these orchids at their Christmas palm.
( close-up view of the flowers)
During their blooming season, People within the neighborhood would marvel and appreciate them for the light lavender colored flowers which would bloom almost simultaneously.
They also kind to gave away several pots of these orchids to their neighbors and friends within the subdivision.
Unfortunately, They sold the old house few years ago and settled elsewhere in Caloocan. We are still clueless if this is the real name of the hybrid.
(cattleya still in bloom after almost 1 week)
They are considered by many Cattleya experts to be among the finest and most spectacular Cattleya hybrids ever bred. Cattleya Portia was registered by James Veitch & Son in 1897 and C. Porcia by H.G. Alexander in 1927.
References/ Sources:
Ball State University
Royal Horticultural Society of London
Filed under: orchid | Tagged: Cattleya labiata, Cattleya Portia, Guarianthe bowringiana, orchid |
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