Cattleya Nice Touch “Alpine” is a specific hybrid created by Alan Koch of Gold Country Orchids, that has beautiful Lavender colored flowers that are over 3 inches wide. The parents are Cattleya Floralia’s Azule and Cattleya Kiritsubo. Cattleya Floralia’s Azule is heavily influenced by Cattleya walkeriana (50%) and is known for producing coerulea (a pale blue/lavender) flowers with a darker lip. Cattleya Kiritsubo is a primary hybrid of Cattleya alaorii and Cattleya nobilior. Clones of this parent have been described as having pink-lavender sepals and petals with a darker lavender lip. This combination created a fast growing, fragrant, frequently blooming plant that has quickly become one of my favorites.
I acquired my medium sized plant last fall (2024) at the SOS auction. Since then, it has bloomed twice and is ready to bloom again. As you can see in the photos, it’s growing out of the 4 inch pot and will need to be replanted soon. I will likely divide it. It came to me planted in moss, but I may try a piece in bark as I grow most of my Cattleya’s in bark.
I have this plant tucked into a Southwest corner of my greenhouse where it gets lots of light year-round. I have shade cloth that covers the roof and the wall in the summer, but only the roof and the corner in the winter. It doesn’t get wet from my misters, but I keep the humidity up in my greenhouse by using a Hydrofogger with a humidistat set at 60-70%. It’s also warmer in that corner than other areas of my greenhouse.
This little gem bloomed for the show last April, so I entered it. To my surprise, it won best in class. When it bloomed again in July, I took it to Dueling Dogs for judging. There, it was given an Award of Merit with a score of 81. Since it’s about to bloom again, I would bring it for show and tell next week, but unfortunately, I have a work event that will prevent me from attending the holiday party. If you want to see it in person, just call me and come visit my greenhouse in the next couple of weeks.
