Very deep purple on this paph. Pretty amazing little orchid… but be careful… this orchid has broken off twice. Best to stake it as close to the bloom as possible.

This is the first big cat I’ve been able to bloom with any success.
It was quite a shock because it has been in my garage over the winter under flourescent lights, but to my surprise it sheathed and bloomed.
The orchid is Cattleya Princess Bells. I picked it up about 3 or 4 years ago at Jewell Orchids in Iowa, and I’ve been moving it around with me ever since.
The big cattleyas have been pretty intimidating orchids for me because I’ve had mixed luck, but this one seems to have done alright despite the toture.
The color is nice and it is slightly fragrant in the afternoon… finally after 4 years it felt like blooming.

Who’s Open? is a new monthly/weekly blog post I’m gonna start doing that highlights an orchid I have open (in bloom).

This one is a typical Oncidium orchid with yellow flowers and a large palette lip. Sometimes referred to as a ‘dancing-lady’ because of the shape of the flowers. Although the Oncidium genus contains over 300 species, the trademark of the genus is the species Oncidium altissimum with yellow flowers and the most commonly known. This particular oncidium has medium sized pseudobulbs and develops a spray of yellow flowers that should last around a month.

… and that’s Who’s Open.