C. warscewiczii

Hailing from the mountains of Colombia and first described by H.G. Reichenbach in 1854, Cattleya warscewiczii is perhaps the most spectacular member of the genus. Well-grown plants can produce up to ten flowers on a commanding vertical inflorescence, with each flower reaching 8-12" in natural spread. The flowers, which have a light floral fragrance, run the gamut in terms of flower color, from light to dark lavender, semi-alba, alba, and coerulea. The flowers of C. warscewiczii frequently have two prominent yellow "eyes" in the lips, although these are variable in size and intensity, and are occasionally absent altogether. In 1873, Jean Linden described a "C. gigas" (unaware of the earlier published description), and that particular epithet has persisted to this day, undoubtedly in part due to its ease of pronunciation and its aptness with regards to flower size.

Cattleya warscewiczii is one of the more challenging of the unifoliates to grow. After a prolonged fall-winter rest during which time it must be kept quite dry, C. warscewiczii typically starts growing in late winter to early spring. Some growers recommend increasing light levels during the late winter months and spraying the surface of the medium to induce the plants to start new growth. Water should still be provided sparingly until the new growths are 4-5 inches in height, at which time the plants will begin to benefit from increasing water at the roots. The spectacular flowers are produced in July-August on the new growths, and the plant generally produces roots immediately after flowering. It is at this time and this time only that the plant can be safely repotted.

This particular plant is a typical lavender form that is blooming for the second time, with three flowers that are still relatively-small for the species at 5" across. Mature plants, however, are capable of producing some of the most spectacular floral shows of the orchid kingdom. Much praise has been heaped upon Cattleya warscewiczii, but perhaps Jean Linden summed it up best in 1873 when he described "C. gigas" as "quite simply the most beautiful orchid in the world."

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Jason

Yes it is quite simply "a most beautiful orchid" Good Growing, Jason.
Cin

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This ain't no dress rehearsal

I love your species floof.

This is one of my favorite big lavender catt species...

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Leave me...with your Borneo...I don't need...that much to keep me warm.

So nice Thanks Jason!

Cheers,
BD

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We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box. ...Hmmm? .

Well done!

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MtEquine

This is really spectacular - and I didn't know that catts need to be kept more dry during the fall-winter...I guess I should read up on them more. Thank for you sharing these pics, and for the background blurb!! A good writer is before us :-)

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Proud member of the Illinois Orchid Society

Do we lump all catts including hybrids into the 'need to have a dry period in the fall/winter' or is this just applicable to certain species catts (which I thought were harder to grow with more particular requirements?)

(and we do indeed have a talented writer before us! .... )

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MtEquine

thanks for the kind words! some catts grow during the fall/winter months! i.e. c. warneri gets the bulk of its growth done during the winter (in the northern hemisphere), and l. purpurata grows in late fall/early winter. both of these tend to rest for a little bit after blooming!

it gets more complicated with the hybrids, but if you see active root growth, that's when you should water and fertilize more heavily. when those nice green root tips disappear it is often a sign of an upcoming rest period.

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Jason

That does sound challenging, but it looks gorgeous.

It is really spectacular Jason, good growing. And as usual the background info is meticulous. Thanks for taking the time to keep us all informed.

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It always rains after a dry spell !: