now for the Blue Queen. Laelia purpurata var Werkhaeuserii

[Dorsetman]

Not the best shape or form ever seen - but I'm determinedly not looking gift horses in the mouth ; maybe - no, surely, this is because the plant suffered, and is now in recovery, and will be far more magnifient next year ( I wish..)
But hey, what about that blue throat ? Isn't that something ?
Do you know the story of Werkhaueserii ? It is told in the Menezes book devoted to this species ( Laelia purpurata, and none other).
The first plant of this variety was found in northern Rio Grande do Sul State in 1904 as an unflowered seedling ( in the wild).There was a lot of controversy about whether it really had been collected in the wild, and if so , whether it should have been - yes, even that far back. The point is that this colouration had never been seen before. The tale was told by the discoverers son, Oscar Werkhaueser in correspondence with the famous German orchidist Rudolf Schlecter. He (Schlecter) said that this is the only flower in all the cattleya and laelia species to have a true blue color.. Frantic searching in the same area eventually found a few more plants of similar or the same coloring - one of which - only one - was of much better form ( so the poor shape is normal for this variation) and that one is correctly labelled as L.purpurata var Werkaueserii Superba ( it's just got onto my wish list ).

As to Cattleya, Laelia, Sophro and all that , the four large flowered Laelia species have long been considered to be cattleyas by experts ; as to Sophros being Cattleyas, and Schomburghkias being Laelias, thats just the lumpers winning over the splitters, and I'll stay with the old names . I'll even stay with Laelia for this one, in spite of what I say , since this name will be understood - even if contentious - and the purpose of the name is to identify the plant to other orchidists. So why change it ?

[Halloamey]

WOW ! What a beauty, what it lacks in shape more than makes up in the color. Breeding it to a good formed alba clone followed by crossing of the offsprings amongst one another should yeild good formed slate blue plants like this one. Some days I wish I had such breeding stock and I could breed for better shape, colors and forms and I will do it some day. Thanks for sharing it and for the interesting piece of info.

[panam]

Love it! I love the flower; I love the pictures; I love the color; I love the information you provide. Love it!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Such a stunning BLUE orchid flower. So pretty. Thanks for the information about it too.

cheers,
BD

[Nataliwind]

But hey, what about that blue throat ? Isn't that something ?

Yes, it IS something!!! Congrats!!!

[maria1971]

Every time I see a Laelia purpurata in bloom, my heart does a little thump. Yours is lovely.

[k_andreev]

i love it's name and i fell in love with the blue. congratulation for the bloom Geoff

[mauraec]

The blue, nearly indigo, throat is outstanding, Geoff. So many orchids with pretensions towards being blue are far from it. I am anxiously awaiting the opening of two buds on a C. Mary Crowe, which, as you probably know is C. C.G. Roebling x C. lueddemanniana. I love the blue imparted to C.G. Roebling by L. purpurata - I had a C.G. Roebling last year (alas, given away in a a frenzy of housecleaning) that enchanted me, but I admit I'm not expecting too much from this C. Mary Crowe (no awards and the cross was made in 1928!). It is, however, the offspring of an awarded clone - wouldn't you know, C. C.G. Roebling 'Blue Heaven'??? It's crossed with a lueddemanniana var. coerulea, so it has many pretensions for being blue. I'd rather have yours!