C. Suzanne Hye f. coerulea (4N)

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Overview

Cattleya Suzanne Hye f. coerulea is a primary hybrid (a direct cross between two species) using the rare coerulea forms. The hybrid, Cattleya mossiae x Cattleya gaskelliana. was originated by Hye in 1906. It iss a classic primary hybrid and one of the most influential in Cattleya breeding history. The “f. coerulea” designation indicates a color form with blue-toned flowers, achieved through selective breeding using rare coerulea (blue) variants of the parent species. The ‘4N’ designation refers to polyploidy in which each parent has double (4N) the number of the normal (2N) chromosome count. The coerulea form combined with tetraploid (4N) parents makes this an exceptionally rare hybrid.

C. Suzanne Hye is a very important historical hybrid. As of recent records, C. Suzanne Hye has been used in over 90 registered hybrids, including famous progeny like C. Bow Bells and C. Edithiae, underscoring its importance in Cattleya hybridization. Our plants are well established and growing in 3-inch pots. They are Near Blooming Size (NBS) and are expected to flower within 12-24 months.

Cattleya Suzanne Hye f. coerulea combines elegance, fragrance, and rare blue beauty, making it a treasure for enthusiasts.

Parentage Breakdown

  1. Cattleya mossiae:

    • Native to Venezuela, known as the “Easter Orchid” due to its spring blooming (April-May).

    • Typical flowers are large (15-20 cm), lavender-pink with a darker lip and yellow throat, highly fragrant.

    • Coerulea forms are rare, featuring pale bluish-lavender petals and sepals with a deeper blue lip.

  2. Cattleya gaskelliana:

    • Also from Venezuela, blooms in summer (June-August).

    • Standard flowers are lavender to pink, 12-15 cm wide, with a ruffled lip and strong fragrance.

    • Coerulea variants display soft blue petals and a darker blue-violet lip, often with subtle yellow in the throat.

The coerulea form of C. Suzanne Hye results from crossing coerulea variants of these species, emphasizing blue tones over the typical pink-lavender palette.

Overview

Cattleya Suzanne Hye f. coerulea is a primary hybrid (a direct cross between two species) using the rare coerulea forms. The hybrid, Cattleya mossiae x Cattleya gaskelliana. was originated by Hye in 1906. It iss a classic primary hybrid and one of the most influential in Cattleya breeding history. The “f. coerulea” designation indicates a color form with blue-toned flowers, achieved through selective breeding using rare coerulea (blue) variants of the parent species. The ‘4N’ designation refers to polyploidy in which each parent has double (4N) the number of the normal (2N) chromosome count. The coerulea form combined with tetraploid (4N) parents makes this an exceptionally rare hybrid.

C. Suzanne Hye is a very important historical hybrid. As of recent records, C. Suzanne Hye has been used in over 90 registered hybrids, including famous progeny like C. Bow Bells and C. Edithiae, underscoring its importance in Cattleya hybridization. Our plants are well established and growing in 3-inch pots. They are Near Blooming Size (NBS) and are expected to flower within 12-24 months.

Cattleya Suzanne Hye f. coerulea combines elegance, fragrance, and rare blue beauty, making it a treasure for enthusiasts.

Parentage Breakdown

  1. Cattleya mossiae:

    • Native to Venezuela, known as the “Easter Orchid” due to its spring blooming (April-May).

    • Typical flowers are large (15-20 cm), lavender-pink with a darker lip and yellow throat, highly fragrant.

    • Coerulea forms are rare, featuring pale bluish-lavender petals and sepals with a deeper blue lip.

  2. Cattleya gaskelliana:

    • Also from Venezuela, blooms in summer (June-August).

    • Standard flowers are lavender to pink, 12-15 cm wide, with a ruffled lip and strong fragrance.

    • Coerulea variants display soft blue petals and a darker blue-violet lip, often with subtle yellow in the throat.

The coerulea form of C. Suzanne Hye results from crossing coerulea variants of these species, emphasizing blue tones over the typical pink-lavender palette.

Growing Conditions

  • Light: Bright, indirect light (2,500-3,500 foot-candles). Morning sun or filtered light is ideal; too little light delays blooming.

  • Temperature: Intermediate to warm, 60°F-85°F (15.5°C-29°C). It tolerates cooler nights (50°F/10°C) during winter rest.

  • Humidity: 50%-70%. Higher humidity supports growth, especially in summer.

  • Watering: Water when the medium (coarse bark or mounted) dries—weekly in summer, less in winter during dormancy. Avoid water in sheaths to prevent rot.

  • Fertilizer: 1/2 strength balanced orchid fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) weekly during active growth (spring-summer), reduced in fall-winter.

Blooming

  • Season: Spring to early summer (April-June), influenced by C. mossiae’s timing, though C. gaskelliana may extend the window slightly.

  • Trigger: A dry rest period in late winter (reduced watering after pseudobulbs mature) followed by increased light and water as new growths emerge.

  • Duration: Flowers last 2-4 weeks, longer in cooler, humid conditions.

Unique Traits

  • Coerulea Rarity: The blue form is less common than the standard lavender-pink C. Suzanne Hye, making it a collector’s gem.

  • Tetraploid Potential: Modern coerulea versions using tetraploid (4N) parents enhance flower size, substance, and color intensity.

  • Historical Impact: As a foundational hybrid, C. Suzanne Hye f. coerulea offers a rare blue twist on a lineage that shaped 20th-century Cattleya breeding.

Care Tips

  • Potting: Use medium to coarse bark or mount on cork/wood or freshwater driftwood for drainage and air exposure. Repot after flowering when new roots appear.

  • Rest Period: Critical for blooming—reduce water in winter after growth matures, resuming with spring growth.

  • Pests: Monitor for scale or spider mites, common in Cattleya hybrids, though not unusually prone.

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