This terete leaved relative of Cattleya is native to Brazil where it grown in warm open forest in good light. It is relatively slow growing and we find does best mounted where its long lived roots can grip tightly to the bark. We find it dislikes pots or baskets presumably because the roots cannot tolerate prolonged wet periods. Saying this we find that mounted it enjoys being watered daily and when we have with held watering at flowering time the flowers have not opened fully – so mounted but well watered seems to be its preference in our greenhouse.

It is certainly enjoying itself at the moment and has more than seventy perfect large fragrant flowers completely smothering the plant. I think we have had this plant on this mount for about fifteen years.

It hangs high in Warm Americas in good light and is very little trouble. I hope that the flowers will still be perfect for the Malvern International Orchid Show this weekend – do come an join us at the Three Counties Show Ground, Malvern.