Cattleya Maxima

[Cjcorner]

I had a wonderful time shopping one day with an orchid friend a year or two ago. She generously passed on this Maxima and it was so large I couldn't leave it behind. It didn't bloom right off inspite of many sheaths, so eventually I split it into three pieces. This section, the largest, suprised me recently with buds. Today the first of the flowers has opened. It began yesterday and at first I thought the plant had a wrong tag. They started out so pale I thought they would be semi alba. But overnight the color came into it...





This piece now has 25+ p-bulbs. It is in a 10 inch basket lined with coco fiber, large bark and some charcoal. I think with the paler colors this one may be a "lowland" variety of the Maxima species. Lowland Maxima are paler in color, have longer leaves and tolerate warmer temperatures. The Maxima that grow in the "highland" group can be found at higher elevations, require more sunlight, are less tolerant of high temps and have much more vibrant coloring. They also have a more compact growth habit.

[gardenguysorchids]

Oh, Connie, That is soooooooooo lovely! Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

[margo]

OMG!!! Stunning!!! Don't know what to say....... Make sure you update when the rest of the buds open! That is going to be a show!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

So pretty, Connie! Thanks for the information too. This orchid looks so healthy. It must love your care.

cheers,
BD

[Halloamey]

Its wonderful Connie ! Can't wait to see the other buds open, please keep us updated. Are you finished with moving??

[Cjcorner]

Its wonderful Connie ! Can't wait to see the other buds open, please keep us updated. Are you finished with moving??

No...just getting off to a slow start. We've got a couple more weeks until the closing and then things will really get busy. I try to pack a few boxes and throw away at least a garbage can full every few days. It's going to be a couple months before things calm down....

[Molly Taco]

Very Pretty

[Cjcorner]

This is the other half of my large maxima...one of the other sections is pictured earlier in this post. 3 months after the basket section bloomed, this one, the clay pot section, now has buds. I hadn't even noticed them until yesterday and they are almost large enough to bloom. I've been busy...but i'll update with a picture tomorrow.

[Raver]

wow this is so pretty, lucky you =).