We remade this classic primary hybrid (originally registered in 1973) using superior parents, resulting in impressively large green flowers that are intensely fragrant at night. Brassavola (abbreviated B.) Aristocrat (syn. Rhyncholaelia Aristocrat) is an outstanding and robust-growing hybrid.
The pod parent, B. glauca (now classified as Rhyncholaelia glauca), is a medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte found in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras in open mountainous forests at elevations from 2,300 to 5,250 feet (700 to 1600 m). Short, oblong, slightly compressed pseudobulbs carry a single leaf that blooms in the spring on an erect, 4-inch (10 cm) long, single flowered inflorescence arising on a newly forming pseudobulb with a strongly scented, long lasting flower. “Glauca” (from the Latin word glaucus) refers to the pale grey or bluish-green appearance of the leaves. The clone ‘Jumbo’ has particularly large, well-shaped, waxy, long-lasting flowers. The pollen parent, B. digbyana (now classified as Rhyncholaelia digbyana), is a medium to large sized, hot to warm growing, epiphyte found in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica at elevations from 33 to 3,280 feet (10 to 1000 meters). Six-inch (15 cm) pseudobulbs have a single 8-inch (20 cm) leaf that blooms in summer on an erect 3-inch (7.5 cm) long inflorescence with a single, large flower (approx. 7 inches). The shiny, pale, yellowish-green flowers are extremely fragrant, especially at night. They have a very distinctive texture with a waxy sheen, which makes them long lasting. The very large lip is slightly 3-lobed and forms a wide-spread tube around the spine, and its outer edges are deeply curled and fimbriated. It usually has a creamy-white color, but it can be slightly colored green, and its throat is often colored in emerald color. Rhyncholaelia digbyana ‘Mrs. Chase’ AM/AOS from Stewart Orchids is considered one of the best clones and a proven breeder.
These unusual, seed-grown, plants are very compact growing and have extraordinarily large, waxy, long-lasting flowers for the size of the plant. The fragrant, lime-green, flowers are dominated by the huge, white, serrated lip. A well-grown plant can produce flowers reaching up to 6 inches in size! Being very weather tolerant makes it easily grown outdoors in areas where winters are frost free. These plants can be grown mounted or potted. Excellent for growing on a sunny windowsill or under lights. As a member of the Cattleya alliance, give this plant plenty of bright light, warm to cool temperatures, regular fertilizer, and plenty of water, allow it to dry between watering. Reduce watering during the cooler months of winter. Highly Recommended!
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