Cattleya Orchid Experts - HELP! Need ID and info

[Roy]

I'm sort of in favour of it being a Blue Grotto, except, from what I've found, all Blue Grotto lips have a whitish rib up centre of the throat. This one doesn't. A google search of this shows a number of Rth Blue Grotto's & all have it, including an earlier posting in this forum, 09-21-2006.http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...-bloom-30.html
Sorry to be a party pooper.

[mauraec]

I looked at all the Blue Grottos on OWiz and I just looked at that post from OT 2006 that you linked, Roy, and I have to say, again, that I don't think it's Blue Grotto, although it's close. For one thing, this catt is NOT blue in any way - it's magenta and fuschia - as I said, the colors I've posted are pretty accurate. I really do think it's a Portia (Porcia?) clone - 'Mayflower' is nearly identical. I don't know what to think about the unifoliate/bifoliate aspect. The double sheath, as well as the blooming time (September) indicate labiata, while the number of blooms indicate bowringiana (9 on one and 8 on the other). The pbulbs look like labiata. All of which, I know, only really suggests both labiata and bowringiana in the background.

[Horst]

The lip close up shows the exact same markings that C. labiatas have.
This is an indication that C. labiata was used at least two times.
No doubt that Guarianthe bowringiana was used. Pseudobulb shape and flower count as well as flower shape are indications enough.
Most of my Ctt. Portias are mixed bifoliate and unifoliate on the same plant.

Unless it is a clone and you can find a match on the www. you never can be certain to what cross this plant belongs.
To many crosses have Guarianthe bowringiana and C. labiata ones or twice as parents or grand parents.
And believe me, each of them have varieties in shape, color and lip pattern.

[mauraec]

Thanks, Horst - you've said pretty much what I've concluded - and I'm happy enough to know it's a Portia-based plant of some sort.