the biggest flower

[gidi]

which orchid has the biggest flower?
which orchid has the longest bloom?
which orchid has the strongest (plesent) fragrence?

[orchidlady]

I would guess that Paph. sanderianum or Phrag. caudatum would win for the biggest flower. Their petals can approach 40 inches in length.

As far as longest bloom-are you referring to the longest lasting flowers or the longest a plant can be in bloom? This is so variable that I'm not sure it can be determined.

Susan

[orchids^_^]

My longest bloom was a Phal. That bloomed for 9 months without a flower falling off...

[paphioboy]

Largest flower (if you include petal length as the main determinant, would be paph sanderianum, as in the Guinness Book of Records). If by flower area, I guess would be cattleya lueddemanniana, about 8 inches maximum. Longest lasting flowers would be dendrobium cuthbertsonii, which has individual flowers lasting up to 10 months. I think dendrobium bracteosum is a close second, about 6 months. Fragrance is subjective, some people can detect fragrance better than others.

[orchids^_^]

to what paphioboy said!
Alex

[Kmac]

Wow, paphioboy, I am impressed! Interesting questions and answers.