Hwa Yuan Gold 'O-2' AM/AOS
I was looking for the original thread on this orchid as I have some experience with growing and flowering it. The rumor that the plants had been treated with gibelleric acid to make the flowers larger is a fabrication, which, sadly, has held it back from getting the award it should have. In 2007, I bought the plant that Orchis Floraculturing had in their display. It was a large plant with at least 10 bulbs. I repotted it and left it to hang in the greenhouse.
Since 2009 with the plant fully established, I have ROUTINELY produced flowers in the 7 to 8 inch range and up to 3 flowers on an inflorescence. I suspect that if you are not growing this plant bright (I grow it hanging under 50% shade) and feeding it heavily, you can not produce the flowers this plant is capable of. Also it needs to be a big plant with plenty of energy to bloom well. I have just divided the plant so I do not expect to see it flower well for 2 years. Most cattleyas, particularly in the Northeast are grown under too much shade and not enough fertilizer.
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