C. maxima

[Ron-NY]

I fell in love with this species while in Peru. I found a stunning one at a road side stand, with the nicest form that I have ever seen. I could have purchased it for $12 American but I would have not been able to get it home. I am still kicking myself for not buying it and giving it to one of my friends in Lima to self for me and then I could have had the flasks shipped to me.It is now my second favorite Catt species after C. walkeriana. The bottom pic is the flower I saw in Peru.

This one I have growing in S/H and is a first time bloomer since being in my collection. They tend to be droopy flowers

[clintdawley]

Ron,

Nice! A friend of mine just gave me a 5 p-bulb division of the shorter-growing highland plant. I hope it blooms this time next year.

[mtequine]

Gorgeous! Love that shape...

[Ron-NY]

the form is improving on it...the dorsal is now upright.

[Becky15349]

Wow, that is stunning and unusual!! Ron, is there really no way of getting the plants back to the US from Peru? I'm totally ignorant about international plant transporting laws, but man, it sure would be tempting this bury this one in a suitcase...

[wetfeet101b]

Very beautiful Ron.
That is one of my favorites that are yet to be in my greenhouse lol.

it sure would be tempting this bury this one in a suitcase...

It sure is.
But with the CITES bulldogs combined with customs personnel not sufficiently educated (or dont care) about plants outside of the drug trade, you risk getting arrested and your plants impounded. Even if you clear your name, your plant has probably dried up in a customs warehouse somewhere after months of neglect.

It does not matter if your plant is not on the endangered species list. Chances are, the customs officer looking at your plant will not know the difference between a cattleya and a petunia. Your plant then gets a nice generous wrapping of red tape.
If you happen to hit the lottery and run into a customs officer who is an orchid enthusiast, then you may have improved odds.

[Ron-NY]

Wow, that is stunning and unusual!! Ron, is there really no way of getting the plants back to the US from Peru? I'm totally ignorant about international plant transporting laws, but man, it sure would be tempting this bury this one in a suitcase...

Believe me, the thought did hit me of trying that but the punishment outweighed the risk.

On arrival back in US a dog was used for sniffing luggage.

I have been invited on another orchid expedition, to Peru, in 2009...If I go,I plan on stopping at the same roadside stand. We should be traveling at the same time of the year that I did in 2006, so C maxima should be in bloom. If I see another one with good form, I will purchase it for one of my friends in Lima and go from there.

[Andre]

I love Catt. species! How big is your plant? I got a large one as a gift from a friend. It is growing like a weed... Can't wait for it to flower! Any tips?
Andre

[Ron-NY]

normally I would say bright and dry between waterings but this one is bright and in S/H culture.



This one has 12 growths but it has bloomed off the last 4 growths. I purchased off another enthusiast that was moving out of state last year and wanted to liquidate most of his collection prior to the move.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

That is wonderful! Take me with you to Peru, Ron. I would love to go and see the orchids there. Maybe you could mail something home?

Cheers,
BD