C. skinneri albescens ‘Kensingston’s Angel’

Cattleya skinneri is one of the two additional species that I added to my quest to collect and grow the classic Cattleya species orchids. I was lucky enough to win this amazing plant in an Ebay auction: the plant was sold by mikesorchids, one of my most trusted Ebay sellers.

This C. skinneri albescens came with a seedpod, which was a cross with C. skinneri ‘Danae’. unfortunately, though, the seedpod aborted. In a way, maybe, this was good for the health of the plant as since the seed pod has been removed the plant is growing even more vigorously. Right now the plant has three new growths emerging and the newer psuedobulbs are also sending out roots.

It has three sheaths right now and if it develops sheaths in other three new growths over Easter, I could be looking forward to a wonderful display of six flower spikes. I will post the pictures then. For right now here is a picture from an earlier flowering of the plant, posted with permission from mikesorchids:

C. skinneri albescens

Culture Notes (From Chadwick and Son website)

Cattleya skinneri is one of the easiest of the Cattleya species to grow. It is a vigorous plant and usually produces multiple leads, so you can develop it into an exhibition plant with very little effort.

In the United States, C. skinneri normally begins sending out new growths in late summer and will complete these by late autumn or early winter. If you encourage the plant to begin growing a little earlier with frequent light sprays of water in late June, it can make two growths a season and bloom on both of them.

Once a growth is mature, the sheath will turn brown and buds will develop and emerge from the dried brown sheath in time for it to flower in late March into mid-April. The flowers will last in bloom three to four weeks under normal home conditions — a little longer at cooler temperatures of 55 to 60 F (13–16 C). After blooming, the plant should receive less water and be allowed to rest for a couple of months.

Like most Cattleya species, C. skinneri needs lots of sun and moving air. A night temperature of 58 to 60 F (14–16 C), and a day temperature of 85 F (29 C) suits it well.

Repot C. skinneri immediately after it has finished flowering. If you want to develop an exhibition plant with many growths and flowers, instead of cutting it up and repotting it, simply move the plant into a larger-size pot as soon as the lead pseudobulb reaches the edge of the container. You should do this before the lead pseudobulb begins to root. — A.A. Chadwick

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