Cattleya forbesiiI don’t grow many Cattleya, mainly for space reasons, but I am also not very fond of the very “girly” looking ones. This is however one of the nicer species I think and I rather enjoy it! I love the subtle colors and minimalistic (for a Cattleya) shape. Interesting to note that the flower is saving the very best for the pollinators eyes only, as the inside of the flower boasts both a lot more colors and a gorgeous pattern.

It is a cool to warm growing medium sized epiphyite or lithophyte from Brazil. It produces long-lived waxy flowers, most often as a pair. Some clones are reputed to be fragrant, but mine is not. It is a fast grower in my intermediate window, placed very close to the additional lighting, producing 3-4 new bulbs per season. The first new bulb is blooming now with the second standing by with two more buds just breaking through the sheath, and I am hoping for a blooming from bulb 3 and 4 later this summer.

Cattleya forbesiiCattleya forbesii