Orchid of the day: Cattleya walkeriana coerulea

Cattleya walkeriana coerulea

It is amazing what information you can find when you research the internet, here's some background  about our Cattleya walkeriana. This small plant originates from Brazil, specifically in the Minas Gerais region.  The color is normally soft purple towards pink but many varieties exist.  The one we have is pale blue and considered a coerulea form.  Cattleya walkeriana is a highly epiphytic orchid that really clings to a tree trunk or a piece of bark.  Once it has established itself it doesn’t want to be separated from its substrate. The flower has a strong fragrance that can be overpowering.

It has come to my attention that Arne intends to purchase a few more varieties of Cattleya walkeriana. The space to put them, well, that is our constant challenge!

A) November 8th. We noticed a few flower buds on four flower stems.

B) One of the flower stem with two buds.

C) A profile of a healthy orchid.

D) A small stem developing within the many folds of leaves in the center.

E) Another shoot in the back, probably will develop into flowers.

F) November 22nd. The shoot from photo E, developing into two buds.

G) Flower from photo B, November 8th. Another bud developing next to it.

H) A view from above.

I) Both flowers fully opened by November 29th.

J) Here we see at least four other buds on November 29 plus the two flowers.

K) The flowers upclose.

L) A profile of the entire plant on the cork.

On November 29th, there are a total of at least six buds and two fully developed flowers. A grand total of eight flowers this winter. 

M) All eight flowers are opened and the smell can pretty strong especially in the morning.

Finally, all eight flowers are in bloom on December 20th. I can only stay in the basement a short while in the mornings because the fragrant is very strong! I found the best time for me to take the photos would be in the early evenings.

N) The flowers up close.

Clearly the flowers can last a long time before they whither, as the first flower was blooming on November 22nd. Well hopefully they will last right through next year! That's my post for today. I hope you all enjoyed the photos of our Cattleya walkeriana coerulea.