Had this Cattleya Orchid since fall of 2008....

[Cjcorner]

After reading back a few posts recently I noticed i've begun dating how long i've had this or that; I realized others may not understand why I put that phrase in all the time!! Allow me to introduce C. Fascellis x Enc. Cordigera....my "i've had this plant so long i'm gonna burn it or bloom it" kinda plant. This past summer I hung this one in front of my vandas as a shade plant...in the thought that it would either burn in full western exposure or bloom. It gave me more sheaths on new p-bulbs...and then nothing else. Just about when I was ready to pitch it, as i have mentioned several times lately, I got advice to change a couple things. So here is the big pain in my neck i've been doing my best to ignore...

This picture shows 5 of it's 7 new spikes developing...gotta say, it's making me do a happy dance.

[k_andreev]

wow a lot of spikes are coming out,congratulation Connie

[orchids^_^]

Congrats!!!
Never heard of the cross
Alex

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Beautiful and healthy orchid, Connie!

cheers,
BD

[Cjcorner]

Just looked up the cross and it doesn't show up...hmm. Does that mean it's unnamed, or just not registered??

[pavel]

Hopefully after all that, it will be a flower that you actually like. LOL

So what all did you have to do differently?

[Lizgeo]

I am glad that your effort pays off, big time. Please show us the bloom when buds open....

[Cjcorner]

Hopefully after all that, it will be a flower that you actually like. LOL

So what all did you have to do differently?

I recently had a visit from a couple very wise orchid ladies...from our forum here. It was suggested I change my fertilizer and bacterial/fungal spraying should be done much more often. I also read about certain types of orchids that grow closer to the ground on tree trunks and wondered if my plant would like it as well. I hung it under a shelf leaving it only a foot to foot and a half off the floor. That level means nearly full sun all day, with only some shading for the midday sun. It is getting more sun than my strap leaf vandas and receives the same misting watering schedule and fertilizer levels that the vanda receive. Oh and the flower...looks like a large cordigera flower with a big pink lip like the cattleya fascellis.

[123orchids]

I am glad you got rewarded before you ditched the plant that would be a shame. please post some pictures of the bloom.

[cdayinflorida]

WOW Connie, Look at the buds!! Can't wait to see this one in full bloom.
C. Fascellis is a knock out! Couple that with cordigera and it should be stunning!