NEslipper
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The fall cattleyas continue on my windowsill, next up is an original division of Cattleya Earl 'Imperialis' FCC/AOS registered by Suyama in 1961. The cross is C. Empress Bells x C. General Patton, so there is a lot of C. Bow Bells in this plant (it has Bow Bells as a grandparent on each side). P.G. Barnett got an 84 point AM on this plant in 1967 and had it upgraded to a 91 point FCC in 1980. I can certainly see why. I grow in less than ideal conditions and it still gave me flowers with overlapping petals, upright dorsals, and wide, flat lateral sepals. The first flower was flat for a few days, and then the right petal decided to flop over a bit, oh well. On a well-grown greenhouse specimen the flower quality must be out-of-this-world. Two flowers currently in bloom, with another sheath in low bud, so fingers crossed I get a second round of blooms in a month or so. It is currently filling my living room with that intoxicating classic cattleya fragrance.
Here it is with my other classic white C. Helen P. Dane 'Magnifica' AM/AOS from 1941. The Helen P Dane only has one flower, so it is massive - at least 17cm with petals recurving, over 18 if you flatten them out, but 'Imperialis' has far superior overall form.
Here it is with my other classic white C. Helen P. Dane 'Magnifica' AM/AOS from 1941. The Helen P Dane only has one flower, so it is massive - at least 17cm with petals recurving, over 18 if you flatten them out, but 'Imperialis' has far superior overall form.
