Orchid of the day: Cattleya cernua

Cattleya cernua (or Sophronitis cernua)

Welcome to my first post of the year. What better way then to show our "Christmas orchid", Cattleya cernua. We nicknamed this orchid, our "Christmas orchid" because every year since we had it, i.e. 2007, it flowers every Christmas (Click here). Let us hope it continues this trend in December 2017!

Our Cattleya cernua began budding in early December 2016 and by December 25th, we had a total of ten flowers. Unfortunately, somewhere between December 31 to January 5, we lost three big beautiful flowers on the top. 

A) The top three flowers were blooming on Dec 7th, 2016.

You may wonder why I mentioned that this orchid is also called Sophronitis cernua. Well if you go back to my earlier post, December 24th, 2014 (Click here), a clear explanation is available. To us, we still call it our Sophronitis.

Arne thought he should write a little something about our Sophronitis, so here's a little paragraph from him.  

'Sophronitis cernua is a miniature orchid from the Minas Gerais region in Brazil with bright orange-red flowers that can be a little larger than an inch (up to 3 cm).  It is an orchid that every grower should have and it is not difficult to take care of as long as enough light can be provided.  Of the 15 species within the genus Sophronitis, this species is probably the most warm-growing and therefore manageable for most growers.  This orchid should definitely be mounted according to me and most others.  Those that have observed S. cernua in situ also took notes of its fondness for moist cliff walls.  So my next experiment will be to mount S. cernua on a piece of stone or terracotta.  In any case I will make sure it becomes a specimen plant with dignity.' ~Arne Schön

B) All ten flowers in bloom. Notice that the top three flowers are bigger than the rest. Approximately 2.8 cm in diameter.

C) The entire specimen with some Spanish moss growing along side on the piece of wood. (Yes, we have Spanish moss with our orchids).

D) Another view of our Christmas orchid.

E) Today, January 7th, the entire specimen with the seven flowers remaining.

F) A beautiful close up of the bright orange flowers. I think the purple hue on the column of each flower, is almost like a beauty spot. Very sweet!

I really love this orchid and I look forward to the flowers every December. I hope you feel the same way as I do. Well, here's to a good week and a good year ahead to everyone!

Orchid of the day: Cattleya cernua (previously Sophronitis cernua)

Cattleya cernua

This miniature beauty originates from South Eastern Brazil to North Eastern Argentina and can even be found inland in Bolivia and Paraguay. This warm growing orchid grows epiphytically and lithophytically in dense clusters. The flower sizes ranges from about 2.2 cm to 2.7 cm (1” to 1 ¼”). Cattleya cernua was called Sophronitis cernua and belonged to the genus Sophronitis until in January 2008, the International Orchid Committee voted to make the genus Sophronitis synonymous with Cattleya, hence Cattleya cernua. Cattleya cernua  is commonly known as ‘Nodding Sophronitis’ and in nature, hummingbirds are the pollinators as they are drawn to the bright warm colours of the blooms.

A) Nov 8th, 2014. Arne has had this orchid since 2007 and it had flowered every year with two to three flowers each time until this year.

B) On Nov. 8th, we noticed two rather prominent flower stems.

C) By Dec 14th, three of the six flowers from the first flower stem broke through.

D) The flowers up close. I love the bright, vibrant colour of these orchids. Beautiful and petite.

E) A side profile of how the flowers are creeping out of the flower sheath, the sheath which in turn, becomes a leaf.

F) Dec. 21st. All of the six flowers made it out. Love the colour!

G) Isn't this a perfect Christmas orchid? Cheers me up when it is wet and gloomy outside...

H) This photo gives me a 'bonsai-zen' like feeling.

I) Flower stem 2 still holding on to the buds on Dec 21st. 

J) Another great shot (I think anyway), of this orchid.

K) Dec. 24th. Finally three flowers are breaking through the second flower stem!

As of today, we have the grand total of nine flowers from our Cattleya cernua. As I was taking this last photo, Arne pointed out that there is a third flower stem developing today.  I only hope all the flowers will be blooming at once so I can get the money shot! I must say that I like calling it Sophronitis cernua...

In any case, in Sweden Dec 24th is the big day of celebration, I wish you all:

"God Jul och Gott Ny År!"

(Translation; Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!)

Orchid of the day: Cattleya cernua

Cattleya cernua (formerly Sophronitis cernua)

Our Cattleya cernua, formerly called Sophronitis cernua,  bloomed late last year and I featured this orchid in our first post for 2017, on January 7th. What a way to conclude the year with the same 'Christmas orchid'. This miniature orchid, originates from the Minas Gerais region in Brazil with bright orange-red flowers that can be a little larger than an inch (up to 3 cm). 

Most true orchid lovers know Cattleya cernua as Sophronitis cernua. The species that were formerly in the genus Sophronitis are mostly cool to cold growing orchids and growers of temperate and warm growing orchids tend to exclude this group from their collections. C. cernua, however, is a warm grower that is easily cared for if sufficient light is provided.  It should definitely be mounted as long as it receives water regularly. Because the roots like moist but airy conditions, Arne decided to inoculate the mount with Spanish moss, which drapes the roots and prevents desiccation when the sun is strong.

A) Buds were appearing by late November and by December 10th, four flowers were in bloom.

B) This miniature orchid is a regular bloomer and produced at least eighteen flowers. Here we have Spanish moss growing on the same bark.

C) By December 22nd, most of the eighteen flowers had bloomed.

I must mentioned that our C. cernua won first place for miniature orchid at the Maryland Orchid Society meeting at the show table, on December 21st, 2017. We hope to take it for judging one day at the national level. Timing is crucial as  the flowering and date for the meeting must coincide.

D) A closer view of our C. cernua. Simply love the bright orange red hue. Very appropriate for Christmas.

D) This orchid has been in our care since 2008. A lovely specimen.

E) A lovely close up the flowers to end this post.

Until my next post,

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!

Orchid of the day: Cattleya cernua

Cattleya cernua

Our Cattleya cernua, formerly called Sophronitis cernua, or our 'Christmas orchid', is blooming again this holiday season.  This orchid is a prolific bloomer, check out my earlier posts from 2014, 2015, January 2017 and December 2017. This miniature orchid, which originates from the Minas Gerais region in Brazil, displays bright orange-red flowers that can be a little larger than an inch (up to 3 cm). This time we have nineteen opened flowers with many buds coming. We are not sure how many more will develop but these flowers can last up to three to four weeks.

I really like this orchid especially with the Spanish moss draped on the mount. This orchid is a warm grower and requires a lot of light. It definitely does well mounted and receives water regularly. The roots like moist but airy conditions. The Spanish moss drapes the roots and prevents desiccation when the sun or light is strong.

A) The entire plant outside.

B) Zooming in the flowers

C) Three developing buds seen in this photo.

D) Two days later the three buds are opening.

E) Our C. cernua today indoors.

If you manage to click on my earlier posts over the years, you will see how this orchid has grown over the time. I hope it will continue to do well in our care.

Orchid of the day: Cattleya Scarlet Imp

Cattleya Scarlet Imp

Cattleya Scarlet Imp is probably better recognized as a Sophronitis hybrid as both its parents, S. cernua and S. brevipedunculata, only recently were transferred to the genus Cattleya.  We purchased this orchid recently in 2018 and this is the first bloom. These flowers have perfectly ideal Cattleya shape.

A) The flowers close up in sunlight in late October.

This is truly a miniature orchid resembling mainly the creeping growth habit of S. cernua while the much larger flowers is a trait from S. brevipedunculata. The flower is larger than each vegetative growth and almost 2 inches (5 cm) wide. 

B) The flowers were opened but were still in the process of flattening out.

C) In a different light.

D) Secured in our basement under indoor lights since the weather had cooled down significantly in November.

Until the next post, I hope you love seeing these blooms from my blog today!