Introducing the Laeliocattleya Santa Barbara Sunset ‘Showtime’ HCC/AOS – a spectacular orchid variety that brings the beauty of award-winning flowers right into your space. This exquisite orchid boasts stunning tones of peachy-gold and rose-pink with a dark magenta, ruffled lip and a yellow and magenta-striped throat. The ‘Showtime’ lives up to its name, showcasing flowers of serious photo quality, making it a true standout in any collection.
Cultivation Tips:
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Blooming Size: Yes, this orchid blooms in Spring and Fall, treating you to clusters of 3-5 flowers, each with a diameter of 3.5"–4", on a tall spike. The subtle orange, salmon pink, and purple lip add to its allure.
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Pot Size: Available in 4" pots, allowing you flexibility in your gardening preferences.
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Temperature: Thriving in intermediate to cool temperatures (40ºF-85ºF), this orchid is adaptable and suitable for a wide range of climates.
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Light: Provide medium to bright light or 50% shade. High light is key for forming flower buds, and some direct sunlight enhances the overall growth.
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Watering: Keep the orchid moist from Spring to Fall, reducing water in Winter. Allow the potting media to dry down between waterings and then thoroughly saturate.
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Fertilizer: Regularly feed with a balanced fertilizer from Spring to Fall, ensuring optimal nutrition for vibrant growth and flowering.
Growing Environment:
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Outdoor Cultivation: In Northern California, these orchids thrive outdoors under 50% shade all year round, particularly when planted alongside Laelia anceps.
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Specimen Plant: With proper care, Lc. Santa Barbara Sunset 'Showtime' can become a magnificent specimen, creating a focal point in your orchid collection.
Parentage and Awards:
- L. Santa Barbara Sunset 'Showtime' HCC/AOS is a cross between Laelia anceps x Laelia Ancibarina (Laelia anceps × Cattleya cinnabarina), and it proudly earned accolades in Santa Barbara in 1983.
Cattleya Growing Tips:
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Light: Bright light to some sun is essential. Provide an east, shaded south, or west window in the home or 50 to 70 percent full sun in a greenhouse.
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Temperature: Maintain night temperatures of 55 to 60 F and daytime temperatures of 70 to 85 F. Ensure a 15- to 20-degree differential between day and night.
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Watering: Allow mature cattleyas to dry out thoroughly before watering. Seedlings require more constant moisture. Monitor the weight of the pot to determine watering needs.
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Humidity: Maintain humidity between 50 to 80 percent, using trays of gravel or a humidifier in the home. Ensure good air circulation to prevent diseases.
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Fertilization: Regularly fertilize with a high-nitrogen formulation during active growth, reducing frequency when not actively growing. Flush with clear water monthly to prevent salt buildup.
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Potting: Repot when the rhizome protrudes over the pot's edge or the potting medium breaks down. Mature cattleyas may be potted in coarser material.
This is a blooming size in a 4" clay pot, about 1 to 2 years to bloom, grown from seed, limited!
With its breathtaking flowers and versatile growing preferences, the Lc Orchid Santa Barbara Sunset ‘Showtime’ HCC/AOS is a must-have for orchid enthusiasts seeking a show-stopping addition to their collection.