cattleya velutiana

This species was discovered in the Parahiba valley between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is most likely completely extinct by now ,owing to unregulated collection in the wild in the 1980s. This makes C.velutina a heavily guarded gem of every orchid collection . Apart from being rare, it is also very attractive and special for the beauty of its flowers. Their lip has a wide -open central lobe and purple venation; the other tepals are russet and embellished with dark spots. When not in bloom , the plant resembles the species C .bicolor ,except that its pseudobulbs are shorter and thicker . Grow the species as you would other botanical Cattleyas . C. velutina blooms in June and July.