Cattleya warscewiczii var. sanderiana

This is a first-bloom seedling of Cattleya warscewiczii (syn. gigas) variety sanderiana. I got it from Ecuagenera a couple of years ago. Flower size is eight inches across and has a nice fragrance.

The species comes from northwestern Colombia, South America. There are several color forms, but variety sanderiana usually has the largest flowers, and is the largest of all Cattleya species. They are produced on upright plants with erect stems which can carry up to ten flowers (just four on this blooming).

According to Chadwick's website, when this species is about to bloom, the plant should be kept cooler in order to encourage full, shapely flowers and the erect inflorescence. Unfortunately I forgot and left my plant high in the greenhouse where it was very warm. It should improve next year.