A Portrait of Cattleya Portia

[mauraec]

I've had lots of help trying to identify this Catt. and it's been fun, but a little frustrating. Fortunately, I ran into the owner of the nursery that I bought it from, and he told me it was the last one of several old Portias he had inherited a few years ago and dragged out the tag from a bunch of old ones he had in a drawer. No clonal name, though. The original owner hybridized many catts, so perhaps this is the result of one of his bowringiana/labiata experiments.

It desperately needs to be divided and repotted, but I hate to break it up. I just noticed today for the first time that it has a lovely, delicate scent.

There are 10 blooms on the top spike and 8 on the lower one, with a good 5" natural spread. I wish I could keep it in bloom longer, but it's starting to fade even now.

[cdayinflorida]

Very nice, Maura. The photo is beautiful.

[panam]

Maura, this is such a lovely plant. What beautiful flowers you captured!

[eorchids]

Beautiful blooming.

[stateless]

great photo of beautiful flowers, love the lip,very nice

[tradceci]

Very nice plant and blooms. I like it very much!

[cakedaddy]

Nice Maura! Lots of lovely blooms...I love the light in the photo!
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[mauraec]

Thank you so much, y'all! Phillip and I have loved having this orchid blooming in our living room - and, for once, the digital camera got the color right!

[BValdes]

Wow! that is beautiful.

[orchids^_^]

Wow, 18 flowers must be very nice!