Cattleya dowiana variety rosita
 

Well, at least one of the C. dowianas has decided to bloom this summer (and, oddly enough, it's the smaller of the two plants in my collection). Only one bloom, but considering how much of a struggle (or, more accurately, long wait) I've experienced with this species to see a flower, I'm certainly not going to complain. The fragrance is fantastic too.

Steve
IMG_2646 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
IMG_2649 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
IMG_2653 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Wow, what a wonderful flower. Great colour and love the veining in the lip.

I love the vening espeacially in the petals.

Steve,
Stunning colors! Congrats on this one blooming out! I killed my two rositas in the past year from sun burn.

Sorry to hear that, Steve. I'm actually amazed at how much light this species can take (or, perhaps, demands?). My plant's leaves are lighter than any of the other cattleya species I have, and they're very hard. I might be growing them a bit too bright, but I think it's what got this one to bloom (but, to be honest, since this is the first time I've been able to flower it, I really don't know what the cause was).

A very beautiful plant!

Wonderful Steve and congratulations!

Know who loves dowiana...that's right me!
Know who is a dowaina killer.....that's right me. :( My Nemesis!

Any tips?

Dave, I've had so much trouble with this one that I wouldn't even begin to know what to advise you, other than the standard line, "if it doesn't bloom try increasing the amount of light it gets." I don't water it that much in the winter either. Sorry, I know that's not much help. I'm just glad that this one is happy enough to bloom (or maybe it's terrified that I'm going to kill it and it decided to bloom out of desperation to pass on its genes).

Steve

Absolutely beautiful!
From what I understand this is a hard species to keep alive, let alone flower.
Congrats!

nice vaining

Sounds like your light is just right. I'm gonna post pics of my dowiana success story right now and its leaves are yellowish and hard just like yours. The reason my other ones died I think is because they were in a spot that was subject to light/shading that changes with the seasons. I'm pretty sure they just too much light too quickly. Bummer.

Umm, I may not go looking for this after reading how hard it is to keep alive, and flower. But its still gorgeous.

Simply wonderful WOW

I love the veining. I can only imagine what it smells like. Great growing. :)

It's gorgeous! Dowiana Rosita is my all time dream...unfortunatelly you can't find one in europe...

If you want one of these Els orchids in Germany get them on a regular basis. Hope this helps?

Ed

I bought one of these from regina Elsner about a year ago. They're not cheap --mine cost 100 euro. If you give this specie too much light the flowers can become deformed. Slow growers they are but mine has doubled it's growth since transfering it to semi-hydroponics. All catts will do well when grown this way.

Ed

Thank you Eddie!
Unfortunately Elsner has no more Rosita...I'll wait...One day I'll get one (I've been looking for that one for years now...and I am patient...)