Cattleya elongata - Orchid Board

Rosim_in_BR · #1 02-11-2009, 08:50 PM

This is one of the little known Cattleyas outside Brazil. Even here it is not often seen in the collections. I recently acquired a seedling of the alba variety that will take a couple of years to bloom. It is a rare variety I saw only one time in an orchid show (see it below side by side with the type). The plant is rupicolous in the wild and I am trying to adapt mine to the moss culture. So far, so good, but got only one flower. Let's see next year. The species epithet was inspired on the long floral stem the species has.

Cattleya elongata type:
Cattleya elongata Barb. Rodr. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Variety alba and type alongside:

snow · #2 02-11-2009, 10:40 PM

i think they are both special.

SP2340 · #3 02-11-2009, 10:54 PM

That's beautiful! What kind of medium is it in?

greenbean · #4 02-12-2009, 01:09 AM

Cool! How long is the floral stem?

Rosim_in_BR · #5 02-12-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP2340

That's beautiful! What kind of medium is it in?

It is in sphagnum moss and so far it is doing good!

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbean

Cool! How long is the floral stem?

The floral stem can easily be 15" long, Greenbean.

stitz · #6 02-12-2009, 08:24 AM

Hi Mauro,

Medium? Mine doesn't really need any. The rhizome is growing vertically. I anchored it into a pot w/chopped tree fern at the base. Ideally, I think that I should grow it on a tree fern pole.

I purchased mine from Alvim Seidel in 2007. Last year, I hope that it acclimated to North America. I expect to see flowering this year. It's a very robust plant.

In 2008, I noted that this species produces more than the "usual" number of new leads. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that this is a unique trait to this species of the Cattleya genus.

--Stitz--

cb977 · #7 02-12-2009, 08:48 AM

I have one of these and although it looks fine, it hasn't really done much

Maybe I'll make some adjustments

What lighting do you guys have it in?

dr_dmd · #8 02-12-2009, 09:42 AM

Mario - thanks for sharing your pics both here and on Flickr - you are an excellent photographer! I particularly enjoyed the photos where you show both a close up and the whole plant in the background. Cool effect and gives a better idea what the plant is like. Thanks again!

Don in CA

tuvoc · #9 02-12-2009, 10:08 AM

Totally charming. I love it.

Kim

stitz · #10 02-12-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb977

I have one of these and although it looks fine, it hasn't really done much

Maybe I'll make some adjustments

What lighting do you guys have it in?

Hi Susanne,

I grow mine in maximum sunlight outdoors whenever the temp is above 50°F (10°C). My sunlight intensity in Maryland is 9000+ fc on very bright days (not very common). I haven't had any burnt leaves so, I'm not too concerned. When the temp is colder, it gets full indoor sunlight (picture window) from mid-morning 'til sunset.

--Stitz--