C. Shipbuilder's Oatmeal Stout

[Kim Brown]

...it finally bloomed for me!

Bought as Lc. Shipbuilder's Oatmeal Stout 'coerulea', but since Laelia purpurata has been reclassified as Cattleya purpurata, it must be C. It's 75% C. purpurata and 25% C. warneri. It seems to have inherited bloom shape and color primarily from C. purpurata, while the C. warneri genetics makes for an overall smaller plant than C. purpurata.

It's supposed to be fragrant, but I don't detect anything from mine - but then, it is a first time bloomer, so maybe next year? The blooms are 5+ inches across, but as you can see, the petals curl back a bit (it's freshly opened). I do like the colour, though.