Bc. Morning Glory 'Ricardo' x C. rex '#3'

The Star-Spangled Brassavola Meets the King of the Peruvian Andes

This cross pairs Brassavola nodosa influence through Bc. Morning Glory with the rarest, most regal unifoliate Cattleya in South America. It is built to bloom with wild vigor on a manageable frame.

Flowers open starry and broad, stretching five to six inches across with pale cream to blush segments and a flared trumpet lip veined in rich crimson and warm gold. The lateral petals sweep back like wings in mid-flight, letting that dramatic, luminous lip command the front of the stage.

The evening perfume from the nodosa heritage merges with the sweet, daylight citrus fragrance of Cattleya rex, which means this cross smells good almost around the clock. You get the starry ease and tough constitution of Morning Glory hitched to the aristocratic lip of the wild Peruvian king. It asks for bright light, dries out fast without pouting, and puts on a show that makes visitors stop mid-sentence.

Quick Care Guide

• Light: Bright, filtered light. An east or unshaded south window with good air movement. Leaves should stay a firm, light olive to apple green.

• Water: Water heavily, then allow the root zone to dry completely between drinks. It hates wet feet overnight.

• Temperature: Nights 58–65°F, days 70–86°F. Intermediate to warm conditions suit it best.

• Fertilizer: Balanced orchid fertilizer at quarter-strength, applied weekly while new growths and roots are actively pushing.

• Mature size: Upright pseudobulbs reach ten to fourteen inches tall with leaves spanning roughly twelve inches; flower spikes carry two to four blooms held proudly above the foliage.