Free Blooming Cattleya Hybrids (Species Also Welcome)

[Libo]

Hi guys! It has been a long time since my last post. Well, it's because I had a new job and now I am living in Chicago! Along with the moving, I realize that I have to live with my orchids in my apartment, probably for a long time...That brings up the question about the suitable orchids to grow under light. I have a metal halide, so intensity is not the problem. I have one catt having so many sheath without a bloom. Daylength is the problem! It's easy to control the light on time, what about the off time? I live in an apartment, I can't turn my light off when the sun falls! So, I guess I am stuck with free bloomers. That gave me the idea of having a list of free blooming catt hybrids suited for people like me. We don't have a sticker in the catt alliance yet, maybe this is a good idea to begin with? Please

To make the selection easier for people, I would suggest posting a picture as well as the size of the plant as well.
I'll start first. So far, most of the flowers I posted here are free blooming for me. But I'll post here again for reference. I'll add more if more prove to be the case. Please share your list as well. The more the better!

1. Blc. Husky boy 'Romeo'

Rlc. Husky Boy 'Romeo' by ~Libo~, on Flickr

This one never failed to bloom. Always developed buds right after/or even before the new growth matures. And it's getting better with more bloom. Size is also adorable, hight about 6 inch, flower size 2-2.5inch.

2. Slc. Jeweler's Art 'Waiomao Plum'

C. Jeweler's Art 'Waiomao Plum' by ~Libo~, on Flickr

This one is also a frequent bloomer. So far I haven't seen it develop a sheath without blooming. But some growth do not produce flowers. IMO not as reliable as husky boys. Size under 9 inch, flower can get to 3.5 inch.

3. Bc. Hoku Gem 'Freckles'/'Sun spots'

Bc. Hoku Gem 'Freckles' by ~Libo~, on Flickr

Bc. Hoku Gem 'Freckles' by ~Libo~, on Flickr

This one I have to recommend to everybody. Everybody! This is a charming Richard mueller hybrid which changes color over time from red to yellow. You will have a lot of flowers with different color and shades on the same plant. Marble branch farms said in their description that their speciemen plant never stopped blooming for several years. You can also go to their site to see the wonderful scene of differnt colors of flower on the same spike. Mature size should be compact, flowers on mature plant around 3inch.

4. Pcv. Golden Peacock 'Orange Beauty'

Pcv. Golden Peacock 'Orange Beauty' by ~Libo~, on Flickr

Another Richard Mueller hybrid. THis one is bright orange and the flowers are long lasting. My last batch of flowers just died a month ago and now it is in spike again. Not sure about mature size, probably less than 12 inch. I have seen up to 15 flowers per spike. Maybe more!

5. Bl Yellow Bird (Recommended by Cav's n Orchid)
Picture see reference from little frog

This one is also a Richard Mueller hybrid, which is a back cross to B. nodosa. I have seen people have a ball of more than 200 yellow flowers on a specimen plant once. It seems that Richard Mueller has that free blooming gene in it. Let's see if there are other hybrid from this parent.