Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana

[Roberta]

Cattleya (Laelia) johgheana has one of the best flower-to-plant ratios around. The flowers of the first plant (first 3 photos) have a natural spread of about 5 inches (13 cm) and the growths (pseudobulb plus leaf) are about 6 inches (15 cm). The second plant (3rd and 4th photos) is a small division still getting established. Flower is about 5.5 inches (14 cm) and growths are about 4.5 inches (10 cm). So when this one gets a bit larger (with more growths, hopefully multiple new leads) it's going to be even better, flower could easily get to 6 inches (15 cm)

The flowers emerge from the base of the new leaf with no sheath. This is the largest flower (and plant) of the section Hadrolaelia. Other species in the section have a similar flower-to-plant ratio but smaller flowers (and plants). This includes C (L) pumila, sincorana, dayana, alaorii. (Used to be Laelia, got lumped into Cattleya with the rest of the Brazilian Laelias)

I grow all of these on my patio, filtered sun or bright shade. So they all can tolerate cold, but don't require it, can grow intermediate. When I have grown them mounted, they tend to attach some roots to the mount and the rest out into the air. So I use a wooden basket with large bark to keep them under control and give all the roots a chance at some moisture. Basically a 3-dimensional mount. (The whole section pretty much hates pots)