Brassocattleya Morning Glory (B. nodosa x C. purpurata)

Bc. Morning Glory is an attractive intergeneric orchid primary hybrid including the genera Brassavola and Cattleya.

Brassocattleya Morning Glory 

First registered: 1958

Parentage: Brassavola nodosa x Cattleya purpurata
Section: Cattleys Alliances Hybrids

This beautiful orchid hybrid has inherited its large starry-shaped flower form and delicate margenta-veined lip from Catteya purpurata; the improved rounded heart-shaped lip from one of its parent, Brassavola nodosa.

Papa
Brassavola nodosa is a warm-hot lowland growing species, native to Mexico and Central America. Each medium sized psuedobulb with 15-20 cm long sub-terete leaf is capable of producing between 1- 6 whitish flowers with a spread between around 7.5 -10 cm. The flowers only emit its citrus fragrance after the nightfall, hence give rise the common name, 'Lady of the Night'.

Mama
On the other hand, Cattleya purpurata is a much larger orchid which measures up to 30-35 cm tall, as compared to Brassavola nodosa. The orchid is a cool to hot growing epiphytic species from Brazil and also the beloved national flower of Brazil. The plant prefers bright light and is capable of producing 4- 5 large fragrance flowers. Each flower has a spread between10-12 cm. Color of the petal is variable ranging from pristine white to dark pink.  

Progeny
Both parents have been used extensively to create many beautiful Brassocattleya hybrids with rich color and large flower form, such as this particular hybrid,Bc. Morning Glory.

I have acquired this relatively young orchid hybrid, in November 2009 from a local orchid nursey. The plant's 1st bloom is recorded in November 2010; its 2nd flowering from the plant's new psuedobulb is in May 2011. The plant has produced 2 large pristine flowers in both flowering and each flower have a spread of 10-11 cm. 

I have observed the color of the petal changed from dark pink (photo above) to pristine whitish color (photo below) on the first few days of its flowering, thereafter, the flower color stayed whitish pink for the rest of the bloom. The flowers emit a mild spicy fragrance during the daytime, however the bloom is scentless on an over-casted sky.

Closed-up of the hearted-shape lip.

The bloom lasted 2-3 weeks and the flower faded away.