Laelia harpophylla

[Dorsetman]

I think I showed this plant last year when it had two spikes ; this year four. I transferred it into S/H using Hydroleca ( baked clay pebbles) when the current canes were a couple of inches high, and it has liked it. Usually it takes a couple of years for transfers to settle down properly because of the need to grow a new set of roots, so the omens are good for the future here.
The plant is about 30 inches ( 75cm) high from compost to the top of the flower spikes , and the flowers are about 8-9 cm - just over 3 inches, natural spread. They last well - the flowers are still in their prime, and they were open just before I went off on my hols - over 3 weeks ago
.
My regular reader friends will of course realise I am now back ; it was not an orchid holiday but one adapted to my wife's needs - she is not very mobile at present - so we went on a cruise from UK via the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, ( then through pirate territory) and into the
(Arabian) Gulf ending at Dubai, where we spent a few days before flying home. It was so successful that we have booked a cruise on a sister ship for next January to go across the big pond, via the Cariobbean, and Panama, ending at San Francisco , so I will be asking for PMs on where to go to see orchids there - I am sure there must be somewhere !.

[Michael Saar]

Well done!
(Oh yeah, this one is now a Cattleya)

[panam]

Welcome back, Geoff! I'm glad your holiday went well. Nice of your orchids to welcome you home like that, right?
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[tucker85]

Wow! What a beautiful, well grown plant.

[pavel]

Well grown! Love that orange!

[cakedaddy]

That's a fantastic plant! I really love the height...May just look for one!
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[mauraec]

A gorgeous plant, and again, a stunning color. Good to know some plants don't threaten death when transferred to S/H. Can't help you with orchid sightseeing, since you're bypassing the entire Eastern half of the States, but you must, of course, know that some of the top slipper hybridizers are in California and I would think it would be fascinating to see the cutting edge of slipper orchid genetics in operation.

[orchidsal]

I am very fond of this orchid Geoff for its colors and growth habit. It sounds like a wonderful trip through the warmer more southern regions. You may already known this, but do bring sweaters/light jackets for San Francisco. January/Febuary are usually wet and rather cloudy, though your only looking at 40's F. to 50's F. AL

[cakedaddy]

I am only a half hour drive north of the Golden Gate and I always wear layers in the city no matter what time of year. My favorite orchid place closed recently. It wasn't grand or anything...they were a non-profit with a little greenhouse in a somewhat rundown neighbourhood. Super fun place to go! Just hate that it closed.
(lots of really cool places south of the city though)
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[Brutal_Dreamer]

A truly stunning orchid, Geoff!

cheers,
BD