Fall 2005

Cattleya Portia, or Porcia? They are not the same thing with two different spellings. Here the mystery is solved:


Cattleya bowringiana’s contributions to hybridization, however, go well beyond the coerulea. Its two most famous contributions are Cattleya Portia, its hybrid with the autumn-flowering, large-flowered species Cattleya labiata, and Cattleya Porcia, its cross with Cattleya Armstrongiae (Hardyana x loddigesii). Both C. Portia and C. Porcia are intermediate in size between their parents. They are beautifully colored, vigorous growers with tall heads of flowers and they make an impressive display. They are considered by many Cattleya experts to be among the finest and most spectacular Cattleya hybrids ever bred. Cattleya Portia was registered by James Veitch & Son in 1897 and C. Porcia by H.G. Alexander in 1927. Both have received many awards from the RHS and AOS. Cattleya Porcia ‘Cannizaro,’ which received AMs from the RHS in 1936 and the AOS in 1951, actually received an FCC/AOS as late as 1988 in recognition of its excellence.
 

Cypripedium calceolus var. parviflorum - " Small yellow lady's slipper".  A faithful, bloomer (mid-May), this orchid is native to Indiana and northern regions. Historically found in open wetlands such as fens, these areas are virtually gone in Indiana due to agriculture and industrialization.

Now on permanent partial display at the Wheeler Orchid Collection Greenhouse, at BSU.

Paper maché orchid by Chelsea Wait, BSU Architecture Student

Paphiopedilum armeniacum,  The Golden Slipper Orchid

photo by John Huffer, BSU Photo Services,  copyright 2002

As a plant rescue center, The Wheeler Orchid Collection and Species Bank periodically takes in plants that have been seized by USDA Customs. In 1992, WOCSB received a lady's-slipper orchid from China. Lady's-slippers are CITES Appendix I (which means VERY tight importation restrictions), notoriously slow growers, and this particular species is notably difficult to bloom. So it is with great pride that I announce the first-time blooming of Paphiopedilum armeniacum  in the WOCSB on 12 March, 2002. (CMVL, curator)