Cattleya Canhamiana ‘Azure Skies’ in bloom. 

I bought this cattleya hybrid 3 years ago and this is the first time it has bloomed:

C. Canhamiana ‘Azure Skies’ is a hybrid (cross) between Cattleya mossiae firma coerulea (A “blue” variety) and Cattleya purpurata variety wekhauseri, a white with a slate blue lip–This is a primary cross, meaning a cross between two species–It has three spikes with five flowers–

I was thrilled to finally see this guy bloom–The slightly spicy fragrance is wonderful, the flowers well-presented and sizeable–I love all cattleyas but have a fondness for purple and coerulea varieties–This is one that does not disappoint!–

Above one can see the pale yellow deep in the throat overlaid with purple striations–I give this plant bright light most of the day with several hours of direct late-afternoon sun–In the summer I give lots of water with drying between watering; I scale back in the winter somewhat when he goes in the greenhouse–This is an older cross, and well worth seeking out for ease of culture–