Lc. Memoria Robert Strait ‘Blue Hawaii’

Lc. Memoria Robert Strait ‘Blue Hawaii’ is a classic Cattleya hybrid known for its striking, fragrant, and well-formed flowers. The blooms are large, often reaching 5 to 6 inches across. They display pristine white, broad petals and sepals. The dorsal sepal and petals often feature a faint, delicate lavender-blue line down the center. This clean white provides a stunning contrast to the bold, velvety, spade-shaped lip, which is a deep, rich indigo-purple. The plant is a vigorous, compact grower, typically with single-leaf (unifoliate) pseudobulbs, making it a manageable size for various growing spaces.

Quick Start

Light: Bright, filtered light (2500-4000 foot-candles). Can tolerate some direct morning sun. Temps: Intermediate to warm. 60-70°F nights and 75-85°F days. Water: Water thoroughly when the media is completely dry. Humidity: Prefers 50-70%. Fertilizer: Apply a balanced fertilizer regularly during active growth. Media: Extremely coarse and open mix (e.g., large-grade fir bark, lava rock).

🌺 Orchid Lore & Discovery

Lc. Memoria Robert Strait (now classified as Cattleya Memoria Robert Strait) was registered in 1990 by Robert Strait. It is a cross between the Brazilian species Cattleya walkeriana and the hybrid Cattleya Wayndora. This parentage is significant: Cattleya walkeriana contributes the compact plant size, good flower form, and wonderful fragrance, while Cattleya Wayndora (which has C. warscewiczii and C. dowiana in its background) lends the large flower size and the potential for bold lip coloration. The ‘Blue Hawaii’ cultivar is a select, awarded clone, prized for its clear white petals and the exceptionally deep, "blue" tones of its purple lip.

🌿 How to Grow Lc. Memoria Robert Strait ‘Blue Hawaii’

Light This hybrid requires bright, filtered light to flower well. An east-facing window with direct morning sun is an excellent location. In a south or west-facing window, it must be protected by a sheer curtain to prevent leaf burn. The leaves should be a light, olive-green color. If they are dark green, the plant may not be receiving enough light to bloom.

Temperature This orchid performs beautifully in intermediate to warm conditions, which are typical for a home. Aim for daytime temperatures between 75-85°F and nighttime temperatures between 60-70°F. A 10-15°F temperature drop at night is important to help initiate flower spikes.

Water Proper watering is essential. This plant has adapted to a pronounced wet/dry cycle. You must allow the potting media to dry out completely before watering again. When it is time to water, drench the pot, letting water flow freely out the bottom. Its thick pseudobulbs and roots store water, making it quite tolerant of a dry period but very intolerant of constantly wet "feet."

Humidity & Airflow Maintain humidity between 50% and 70% for best results. In drier homes, a humidifier or a humidity tray (a tray filled with pebbles and water, with the pot sitting on top of the pebbles) will be beneficial. Good air circulation from a fan is crucial, especially in humid conditions, to prevent fungal or bacterial issues.

Media & Potting A very coarse, open, and fast-draining potting mix is required. The thick Cattleya roots need abundant air to stay healthy. A mix of large-grade fir bark, lava rock, and charcoal is an ideal choice. Repotting should be done only when the plant is outgrowing its pot or when the media has broken down (usually every 2-3 years). The best time to repot is when new roots are just beginning to emerge from the newest pseudobulb.

Currently available in blooming size only.