This excerpt bellow was taken from the article first appeared in the February 1956 (Vol. 25, No. 2 page 159) American Orchid Society BULLETIN as part of a multi-part Beginner's Handbook. www.aos.org/orchids/additional-resources/cattleya-queen-of-the-orchids.aspxCattleya warscewiczii: Colombia. Discovered in the province of Medellin, Colombia, around 1848 or 1849, by Warscewicz, the prominent orchid collector, the bulk of the shipment was lost through a breakdown of the vessel conveying the plants down the Magdalena River, but herbarium specimens were saved and sent to Reichenbach.
Described by Reichenbach in XENIA ORCHIDACEA in 1855, it was named after its collector. A few plants were collected on occasion but it was not truly rediscovered until Roezl, another famous collector, visited the original locality collected by Warscewicz. It became quite famous as one of the finest of the labiata Cattleyas. Flowers are from seven to nine inches across, two to three flowers to a stem. The sepals and petals are rose-mauve, the lip large, broad, spreading with a deep sinus or indentation at the apex of the front lobe. The side lobes of the lip are colored similar to the sepals and petals, the front lobe a rich crimson-purple, with two striking yellow "eyes" leading into the throat. This horticultural species is found naturally in habitats exposed to the sun and hence is frequently difficult to flower in cultivation where it needs maximum light. It requires high humidity, but needs a period of severe drying off to induce blooming. A fine plant for any collection where light is ample during the late winter and early spring months. It blooms from late May to September, immediately after growth is completed.
I couldn't find more details about the Catt. Warscewiczii culture, was wondering if anyone could provide me with more information, it would be very much appreciated.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask me, and I will reply as soon as possible.
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