Cattleya warscewiczii alba (‘Firmin Lambeau’ FCC/RHS x ‘Kathleen’ AM/AOS)

[terryros]

The only remarkable thing about this first-bloom flower is that it bloomed and is blooming earlier in the year than I thought it should. Ever since I read Chadwicks’ quote about warscewiczii, “Most hobbyists in the United States do not grow or flower Cattleya warscewiczii well”, I have been pessimistic about blooming this species.

‘Firmin Lambeau’ FCC/RHS (1912) is said to be the first natural true alba Cattleya warscewiczii. I don’t have any information on the size of ‘Firmin Lambeau’ but online pictures are found demonstrating its “large size and good shape” as Chadwicks put it. ‘Kathleen’ was awarded an AM/AOS in 2008 with 5 flowers with a horizontal NS of 19.4 cm and a vertical NS of 21 cm.

This cross of ‘Firmin Lambeau’ x ‘Kathleen’ was made by a private grower from whom Jerry Fischer of Orchids Limited acquired seedlings a number of years ago. I don’t know if each parent was known to come through an unbroken line of divisions or whether some mericloning seeped in.

I anxiously bought a seedling 6 years ago as I learned that my LED lighting should be satisfactory for high light orchids. The plant grew steadily and was divided to become two multi-growth plants, but I never had a sheath or bloom.

Last August, the front lead of each plant developed two new growths. They grew slowly through winter in my plant room, but in January as I increased the day length and temperature the growths accelerated and became thicker and taller than any previous ones. While I was pleased, I didn’t expect blooming this year.

When the first new leaf on each plant parted enough to peer inside, I could see sheaths. Soon after, the sheaths began to swell, and buds quickly emerged on both plants before the leaves were fully grown. I think the time from when I first saw a bud near the top of the sheath to when the flower opened is faster than about any other unifoliate Cattleya I have bloomed. Only the first growth on each plant is blooming, each with two flowers.

I think the flower coloration and shape are good, but the horizontal natural width is only about 13.0 cm and the height is 15.0 cm. Maybe future blooms will get larger, but the plants are in the largest pots I want to accommodate in my plant room and are multigrowth, so I don’t think I can make the plants much bigger.

The impressive round, full blooms of the complex white hybrids Bow Bells, Bob Betts, and Jose Marti I have are great, but I am learning to appreciate the alba forms of various species like warscewiczii.

 

[monocotman]

Lovely! It’s so much sweeter when you’ve grown the plant up from a seedling,
David

 

[PeteM]

View attachment 26809

The only remarkable thing about this first-bloom flower is that it bloomed and is blooming earlier in the year than I thought it should. Ever since I read Chadwicks’ quote about warscewiczii, “Most hobbyists in the United States do not grow or flower Cattleya warscewiczii well”, I have been pessimistic about blooming this species.

‘Firmin Lambeau’ FCC/RHS (1912) is said to be the first natural true alba Cattleya warscewiczii. I don’t have any information on the size of ‘Firmin Lambeau’ but online pictures are found demonstrating its “large size and good shape” as Chadwicks put it. ‘Kathleen’ was awarded an AM/AOS in 2008 with 5 flowers with a horizontal NS of 19.4 cm and a vertical NS of 21 cm.

This cross of ‘Firmin Lambeau’ x ‘Kathleen’ was made by a private grower from whom Jerry Fischer of Orchids Limited acquired seedlings a number of years ago. I don’t know if each parent was known to come through an unbroken line of divisions or whether some mericloning seeped in.

I anxiously bought a seedling 6 years ago as I learned that my LED lighting should be satisfactory for high light orchids. The plant grew steadily and was divided to become two multi-growth plants, but I never had a sheath or bloom.

Last August, the front lead of each plant developed two new growths. They grew slowly through winter in my plant room, but in January as I increased the day length and temperature the growths accelerated and became thicker and taller than any previous ones. While I was pleased, I didn’t expect blooming this year.

When the first new leaf on each plant parted enough to peer inside, I could see sheaths. Soon after, the sheaths began to swell, and buds quickly emerged on both plants before the leaves were fully grown. I think the time from when I first saw a bud near the top of the sheath to when the flower opened is faster than about any other unifoliate Cattleya I have bloomed. Only the first growth on each plant is blooming, each with two flowers.

I think the flower coloration and shape are good, but the horizontal natural width is only about 13.0 cm and the height is 15.0 cm. Maybe future blooms will get larger, but the plants are in the largest pots I want to accommodate in my plant room and are multigrowth, so I don’t think I can make the plants much bigger.

The impressive round, full blooms of the complex white hybrids Bow Bells, Bob Betts, and Jose Marti I have are great, but I am learning to appreciate the alba forms of various species like warscewiczii.

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing, I’m glad the seedling bloomed out for you and is all white. I also have this exact cross in my collection. Purchased from Peter Lin of Diamond orchids in 2018. I actually had this exact same cross previously, but lost the plant in a repotting attempt at the wrong time when I thought my repotting and conditions were invincible, learned the hard way. ‘Roots after bloom’ category and cool growing. After your post I ran to check my plant.. one new lead that looks to have potential. I have not moved this orchid in years and it has since sent roots in all directions. I hope to have a bloom this summer, if I get a sheath sounds like the buds and flowers will develop rapidly. Small orchid world, this guy is probably from the same flask as yours.

 

[Duck Slipper]

Very nice...and not very common at all. I have seen some EBay ads for this clone or an alba warscewiczii and left it alone. Interestingly, Peter Lin had 2 available a couple years ago. When I inquired about them he told me they were sold. I have a 2 growth division of Firmin lambeau now that sent up two large growths this past winter also. I will post a pic if it blooms.

 

[Duck Slipper]

Terryos and PeteM...I would love to exchange pollen with the hopes of some flasks of this cross.
(Firmin lambeau x Kathleen) x (Firmin Lambeau)

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Very nicely bloomed Terry. Since it’s first bloom, it will only get the bigger size on 3rd bloom and beyond.

 

[NYEric]

Thanks for sharing, all. I am so glad I'm not the only one with plants growing roots all over the place!

 

[southernbelle]

View attachment 26809

The only remarkable thing about this first-bloom flower is that it bloomed and is blooming earlier in the year than I thought it should. Ever since I read Chadwicks’ quote about warscewiczii, “Most hobbyists in the United States do not grow or flower Cattleya warscewiczii well”, I have been pessimistic about blooming this species.

‘Firmin Lambeau’ FCC/RHS (1912) is said to be the first natural true alba Cattleya warscewiczii. I don’t have any information on the size of ‘Firmin Lambeau’ but online pictures are found demonstrating its “large size and good shape” as Chadwicks put it. ‘Kathleen’ was awarded an AM/AOS in 2008 with 5 flowers with a horizontal NS of 19.4 cm and a vertical NS of 21 cm.

This cross of ‘Firmin Lambeau’ x ‘Kathleen’ was made by a private grower from whom Jerry Fischer of Orchids Limited acquired seedlings a number of years ago. I don’t know if each parent was known to come through an unbroken line of divisions or whether some mericloning seeped in.

I anxiously bought a seedling 6 years ago as I learned that my LED lighting should be satisfactory for high light orchids. The plant grew steadily and was divided to become two multi-growth plants, but I never had a sheath or bloom.

Last August, the front lead of each plant developed two new growths. They grew slowly through winter in my plant room, but in January as I increased the day length and temperature the growths accelerated and became thicker and taller than any previous ones. While I was pleased, I didn’t expect blooming this year.

When the first new leaf on each plant parted enough to peer inside, I could see sheaths. Soon after, the sheaths began to swell, and buds quickly emerged on both plants before the leaves were fully grown. I think the time from when I first saw a bud near the top of the sheath to when the flower opened is faster than about any other unifoliate Cattleya I have bloomed. Only the first growth on each plant is blooming, each with two flowers.

I think the flower coloration and shape are good, but the horizontal natural width is only about 13.0 cm and the height is 15.0 cm. Maybe future blooms will get larger, but the plants are in the largest pots I want to accommodate in my plant room and are multigrowth, so I don’t think I can make the plants much bigger.

The impressive round, full blooms of the complex white hybrids Bow Bells, Bob Betts, and Jose Marti I have are great, but I am learning to appreciate the alba forms of various species like warscewiczii.

Beautiful! Good growing!

 

[terryros]

Terryos and PeteM...I would love to exchange pollen with the hopes of some flasks of this cross.
(Firmin lambeau x Kathleen) x (Firmin Lambeau)

I wouldn't want to breed with this plant just yet. I think it shows only a bit of promise. Right now, I wouldn't declare it a winner. Too small, substance to light, petals/sepals recurving after hit is open a while. Maybe after another blooming or two I will be more confident that it has something to contribute.

 

[terryros]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing, I’m glad the seedling bloomed out for you and is all white. I also have this exact cross in my collection. Purchased from Peter Lin of Diamond orchids in 2018. I actually had this exact same cross previously, but lost the plant in a repotting attempt at the wrong time when I thought my repotting and conditions were invincible, learned the hard way. ‘Roots after bloom’ category and cool growing. After your post I ran to check my plant.. one new lead that looks to have potential. I have not moved this orchid in years and it has since sent roots in all directions. I hope to have a bloom this summer, if I get a sheath sounds like the buds and flowers will develop rapidly. Small orchid world, this guy is probably from the same flask as yours.

View attachment 26810View attachment 26811

That is enough growths and they are large enough for the cross to bloom. I think it is just a question of what the light, water, and nutrition are at the critical point when the growth is deciding about forming buds. Probably happening even now with that growth.

 

[Duck Slipper]

I wouldn't want to breed with this plant just yet. I think it shows only a bit of promise. Right now, I wouldn't declare it a winner. Too small, substance to light, petals/sepals recurving after hit is open a while. Maybe after another blooming or two I will be more confident that it has something to contribute.

Actually, I have to get mine to bloom also...

 

[Paphman910]

Very well grown. Flower is beautiful! Like other said …. you will get bigger flowers and more flowers per spike.

 

[NEslipper]

Beautiful! Good to know these can be bloomed under LEDs!

 

[Ozpaph]

That is gorgeous!

 

[DrLeslieEe]

How is this plant and blooms now? Just curious. It’s beautiful.

 

[Guldal]

How is this plant and blooms now? Just curious. It’s beautiful.

Hear, hear!

 

[terryros]

How is this plant and blooms now? Just curious. It’s beautiful.

It is healthy and now has two growing leads. Number of blooms has increased to 3, so I am hoping for two blooming leads, each with 4 flowers next spring!

 

[dodidoki]

Dear Friend!!! Huge congrats on growing up and flowering this nice plant. Shape and color is very good, size is also good for first flowering. I have an alba gigas, grown from seedling, too, slow plant , now almost bs size, "Leo Houlgin".

 

[southernbelle]

I just came across this post, guess the online gods saw I've been talking about this plant a lot lately and the algorithms made sure I saw it. Anyway, hope you still have this cross. I don't mean to hijack your thread, but thought you might want this info attached to your cross.
You remember, I'm sure, that I offered you a new clean meristem of 'Firmin Lambeau' (from scientist Beth Lamb's process which produces clean plants from virused ones) when Chadwick's first had them Feb. 2022 at the VOS show. They were $50 then, now about $125 and up, on eBay and at the greenhouse. Both Chadwick and Waldor have had this plant cleaned up by this process and have meristems available. I'm told that there are only 2 known clean originals that still exist, not for sale at any price. One is owned by Selby Botanical Garden and the other by Keith Davis (who doesn't sell any of his plants.) Chadwick, Waldor and Jeff Bradley have virused originals, but if any more are out there, they are in unknown private collections. My meristem has grown well & will bloom next summer:
C. wars. ‘Firmin Lambeau’ is truly a treasure. Re culture: Chadwick says to withhold water during the dormant period, watering only enough to keep the pseudobulbs from shriveling, then when new growth starts, wait until the new pseudobulb is 4” tall, then start watering normally. This is, apparently, what produces the best flowers which can be multiple on a stem. The cool thing about C. wars., it sets flowers vertically on the stem rather that at the same level, so they display beautifully. And it’s well that they do!! I've read each flower can be 10-12” across on a mature, well grown plant. So hang in there with your cross.
Just to make you love the ‘Firmin Lambeau' parent of your cross even more, I found an article that was published in the Nov., 1991 issue of Orchids Mag, written by Ernest Hetherington on C. wars. alba 'Firmin Lambeau'. I takes every bit of info I’ve seen anywhere else and I've done a lot of research, and adds wonderful details about the Atlantic crossing that John Lager, Sr. took to deliver the plant to Stuart Low in England. Lager wouldn't let the plant out of his sight on the ship. After all, the $5,000 Low paid for the plant in 1910 in Boston, in 2024 dollars, according to the dollar value calculator based on the Consumer Price Index would be: "In 1910 a Purchase of $5000 has a "real price" of $170,899.02 today as measured by inflating the amount by the Consumer Price Index (CPI)".
So you can see why Lager would not let the plant out of his sight, even taking it to dinner the ship reported. But some of the crew decided to play a practical joke on him. They somehow got ahold of the plant and hid it for several hours, causing great concern to Lager, to say the least! It was returned to him unharmed, and before he had a heart attack!!
So, it you really want your socks blown off about the amazing history of 'Firmin Lambeau', here Is the article sent to me by AOS. I found it on AOS website in the Orchids Mag archives. I wrote to AOS asking to buy the magazine, but their archives only have actual copies of magazines back to 2008, according to the person who responded to my request. So, she graciously sent me a PDF which I've attached. When it was displayed in May 1910 at the Boston Hort. Society show it was honored with a Gold Medal. No award was given because AOS did not yet exist. So it was not until the plant was displayed in England in 1912 that RHS saw and awarded the plant with an FCC/RHS that the official painting was made. The award painting is just about the only thing Hetherington did not have in his article. I don't have access to RHS to know the award measurements. But the species was gigas then, because the flowers were so huge. Perhaps some of our European friends with access to RHS can access the award description for us.

 

[terryros]

Thanks, Deborah. Unfortunately, my flowers on this cross have never come close to Firmin Lambeau or Kathleen in size or configuration. It also was not a good grower. I decided that I wanted to limit my very tall Cattleyas as well. So, it is gone. I have only one warscewiczii left (a lavender) and it gets one more try to impress me and then it is gone. I want to see your flowers when you bloom yours.