How to differentiate cattleya lueddemaniana from cattleya labiata?

[KC Kam]

Hi all,

I would like to learn to differentiate cattleya lueddemaniana from cattleya labiata. How to identify them?


Thanks.

[Louis_W]

One trick is that Cattleya labiata usually had a double sheath while lueddemanniana only has one. This is a fairly objective method of telling them apart.

I feel like they look different enough that posting a photo here might work if you have a plant that is definitly one of the two. If you include other species or hybrids, that would make it complicated to know for sure

Why do you ask?

[estación seca]

Cattleya labiata generally blooms in the Fall. Cattleya lueddemanniana generally blooms in the Spring. I heard Art Chadwick say this is the main way to tell them apart.

[KC Kam]

Originally Posted by Louis_W

One trick is that Cattleya labiata usually had a double sheath while lueddemanniana only has one. This is a fairly objective method of telling them apart.

I feel like they look different enough that posting a photo here might work if you have a plant that is definitly one of the two. If you include other species or hybrids, that would make it complicated to know for sure

Why do you ask?

The main reason I ask is because I've got a cattleya lueddemaniana and recently I saw the same seller posting a photo of cattleya labiata which has the exact same look with my cattleya lueddemanniana. I am not an experience grower hence I can't really differentiate the differences yet I want to know what I am having exactly.

That's what triggers me to learn to differentiate them.

[Louis_W]

Originally Posted by KC Kam

The main reason I ask is because I've got a cattleya lueddemaniana and recently I saw the same seller posting a photo of cattleya labiata which has the exact same look with my cattleya lueddemanniana. I am not an experience grower hence I can't really differentiate the differences yet I want to know what I am having exactly.

That's what triggers me to learn to differentiate them.

Yes the look of the flower can vary a lot. The come in different color forms and are bred to be larger and fuller. It isnt always obvious even for an experienced grower, which species is which. Growth habit can also vary with the conditions the plant grows in so that isnt a great dignostic either. That is one reason that tags are essential and trust in the seller is important.

That said we all love to see photos and help with things like this. When i asked why you wanted to know i wasnt discouraging you from asking, i was just ttying to get to the root of the question

Do you have photos?

[Jeff214]

All my Cattleya lueddemannias seem to have a more slender, cylindrical psuedobulb/leaves than C. labiata, which has a more chicken drumstick form... The rhizome seem to be longer and more rambly on a lueedemannia.

Lueddemannias (unless its an alba) seem to have prominent red spots on young leaves that fade as they age.

[KC Kam]

Originally Posted by Louis_W

Yes the look of the flower can vary a lot. The come in different color forms and are bred to be larger and fuller. It isnt always obvious even for an experienced grower, which species is which. Growth habit can also vary with the conditions the plant grows in so that isnt a great dignostic either. That is one reason that tags are essential and trust in the seller is important.

That said we all love to see photos and help with things like this. When i asked why you wanted to know i wasnt discouraging you from asking, i was just ttying to get to the root of the question

Do you have photos?

Hi Louis_W,

Dont worry, i am happy that you are willing to check it out for me.

I have attached 2 photos. Please guide me how to identify them.

[KC Kam]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Cattleya labiata generally blooms in the Fall. Cattleya lueddemanniana generally blooms in the Spring. I heard Art Chadwick say this is the main way to tell them apart.

I am not sure whether it is because of hot weather in my country, every new mature pseudobulb of my catt lueddemaniana will bloom hence i cant use this method to determine.

[Louis_W]

Looks like labiata to me. How many sheaths?

[Jeff214]

Oh you have it in bloom! Looks more labiata than lueddemanniana

Check the column of the orchid. Thats the interior part of the flower with the anther cap. Its the part beneath the petals, sepals, and labellum thats attached to the main stem of the flower.