Cattleya Portia Maybe - mystery solved - now to cultivate!

[mauraec]

Here are some further photos of the forgotten and neglected heirloom cattleya I acquired for a song on Friday. By using a photo of an extremely faded tag, and the plant, and their own expertise and knowledge, cdayinflorida and Halloamey identified it as none other than Cattleya Portia. I call her C. Portia Maybe, because that, literally, is on the old tag. This is a stately old dowager queen, and I hope to spiff her back up to her aristocratic nature. Any advice is always both invited and welcomed. Haven't had one of these....



Full View



From above




The root jungle




Three of 5 or 6 spikes




As always, my heartfelt gratitude - this part of the orchid-growing experience is so much fun!

Maura

[orchidsal]

I can't give expert tips or advice on Cattleyas, but I do know that every Dowager Queen needs a tiara or in this case a crown of flowers. I wish you much success in breathing new life into the old girl. AL

[kiwiorchids]

I have this at home Except it is crossed with another called Mel. The Portia makes a beautiful show! Congratulations Maura

[cdayinflorida]

Oh, I can't wait to see the blooms! It won't be long you will be posting photos.
The heirlooms are spectacular. The colors are clear and blooms are floofie without looking tortured.

In looking at the photos, you have a ton of eyes that are swelling to put on a show for next year.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

That is a big orchid! Going to be quite a show.

Cheers,
BD

[mauraec]

That is a big orchid! Going to be quite a show.

Cheers,
BD

After my ordeal with it last night, I think the show may be over already - we'll see. It IS a very big orchid. Why can't I get interested in the miniatures?

[angela]

Hi Maura
I have a Catt. Portia. I have to tell you it just grows and grows. It will be a monsterous plant if you don't keep dividing.
I will check tomorrow to see if mine still has a flowering spike and I will post a pic.
Some say it has a fragrance, I do not like the smell at all. It makes me feel faint!!
Have fun with it. BTW the flowers are indeed beautiful.
Angela

[mauraec]

Hi Maura
I have a Catt. Portia. I have to tell you it just grows and grows. It will be a monsterous plant if you don't keep dividing.
I will check tomorrow to see if mine still has a flowering spike and I will post a pic.
Some say it has a fragrance, I do not like the smell at all. It makes me feel faint!!
Have fun with it. BTW the flowers are indeed beautiful.
Angela

Does yours look at all like this one? One of the spikes is 14" tall now, and the plant itself is about 15". Some of the members doubt it's really a C. Portia because it's not tall enough and the spikes don't look right to them. This plant had NO ROOTs below the surface - all the roots grew up and around the pseudobulbs, trying to catch some water, I guess. Whatever it is, I think it's going to make it, and it looks like at least one spike is going to bloom. I still haven't seen a photo of a C. Portia in spike, or in bloom, so I have no idea ....

[angela]

Does yours look at all like this one? One of the spikes is 14" tall now, and the plant itself is about 15". Some of the members doubt it's really a C. Portia because it's not tall enough and the spikes don't look right to them. This plant had NO ROOTs below the surface - all the roots grew up and around the pseudobulbs, trying to catch some water, I guess. Whatever it is, I think it's going to make it, and it looks like at least one spike is going to bloom. I still haven't seen a photo of a C. Portia in spike, or in bloom, so I have no idea ....

Hi Maura,
I went into the garden in search of a Catt. Portia pic for you. The attached is the best I could come up with. The heavy rains following passage of Hurricane Maria yesterday has everything beaten down.
Hope you can still get some idea of what the flower looks like.
I now have some doubts and question about my plant. Since your Post I have looked at pics. of Catt. Portia on the Internet and those that I have seen are quite pale in color compared to mine. Also you and others give it a very long spike. My spikes are 7"-8" and can have from 7-10 flowers. the flowers are about 2 1/2- 3" across.
I have had this plant for a very long time and this is the tag that it came with. When in bloom it is beautiful, but as I have said before , some say it is fragrant, I am not fussy about its smell.
I would like someone (perhaps Yew, if he is familiar with Catt. Portia) to comment on the differences that I have pointed out.
Cheers
Angela

[mauraec]

Angela - You are such a sweetheart to do that! I have to run, but I'll send you a longer post later tonight. Whatever your catt is, it's just beautiful!

Maura