Crazy things orchids do
 

In October 2015 I received a small Blc. Sweet Silk 'Vanilla Sky' in a surprise box from Carmela Orchids. There is a group photo in this thread:

Carmela Orchids

I quickly put it into semi-hydroponic culture. It took off growing. This is an extremely vigorous and tough plant that reliably breaks multiple leads, and is in near-continuous growth in my warm growing area. If you have struggled with weak Cattleyas in the past, I recommend this one.

It has survived numerous pack rat attacks, but never got big enough to flower before being chomped again.

I looked at it today, and realized the newest lead had turned downward in its 1-quart/liter S/H pot. Maybe it did this to hide from the pack rats.

I unpotted it, and repotted the rhizome at a steep angle. This was the minimum angle to get the lead growing out of the pot, without putting any pressure on the new lead.

Attachment 146320

This one is certainly big enough to flower now ES. Nice work.

I just took a look at some online pics of the flowers from this one. Awesome yellows.

The new lead is great. Will most likely start bending upward naturally later - following the steps of the next door neighbour.

Get 100 spring Traps and set them up like dominoes to protect this beauty

God speed

There are traps at all the access points.