ASOPOMO Four

Lc Gaiety Flambeau 'Mendenhall'. A cross of two genera in the Cattleya alliance - a hybrid Laelia (the L) and a hybrid Cattleya (the C). From the PR of the breeder These plants will have large clusters of up to 12 flowers. True - this spike is actually 10. They will look like hydrangeas on compact plants. Oh come on - if I wanted hydrangeas I would have grown hydrangeas. And since when do you see Hydrangeas marked like this? Flowers are long lasting and dramatic. Very true. The flowers in the photo have been open for 18 days so far. A lot longer than bloody hydrangeas (I throw that in for you Brits. I actually would never use the term "bloody" if the lovely Sean Connery hadn't taught it to me in the flicks. I am not really sure what it means except it is evil.) About the name. Breeders are an interesting (read: weird, eccentric, bizarre) group of folks who will bridle their creations with names like Darth Vader, Blood Clot or Muffin. A flambeau by definition is 1. A lighted torch. 2. A large ornamental candlestick. Gaiety is - well - I will let you fill in your own blank. However, thinking of this as a big gay candlestick may work for you. Fortunately, we can love it in spite of its name for its beauty (a bit gaudy but...), endurance and intense fragrance - a mingling of orange blossoms, honey and Mom's favorite Estee Lauder.