Does anyone have any experience with this Mexican Species orchid? I picked
one up from a grower yesterday here in san diego...the parent plant was
insane with two 6-7 foot spikes and some unreal flowers I have never seen
the shape of before. I also spent (what I consider to be) a lot of money
for it. It has two spikes about to go off.

Has anyone grown this plant before and do you have any recommendations.

Ah fond memories. When I was in high school living at home (and thus having a
backyard for a homemade greenhouse) I had some of this and also Schomb.
exaltata. Wonderful plants and yes the bloom spikes get enormous! Some tips,

1. These really like to be mounted in my experience. You can grow them in pot
if you must, but use a very well aerated medium- perhaps a mix of large chunks
of bark and charcoal. In basket would be even better if mounted is not an
option.

2. These like to dry out between waterings. Not an issue if they are mounted,
but if potted, be sure to let them dry out well before watering again- on your
Cattleya schedule.

3. Schomburgkia's attract ants. Best to leave them be. I forget what it is, but
there is actually a beneficial relationship there. The ants kept me from taking
my plants to shows, but the plants thrived for it. (Besides, its not like I was
going to drag a plant with an 8 foot spike to a show anyway LOL.)

4. Remember these are Mexican species. They love heat and can take very strong
sun- on the order of strap leaf vandas. In the summer in Houston, mine would
sometimes get over 100 degrees and it never phased them. They are pretty cold
tolerant as well, but in general you need not worry about them getting too hot
while making sure they do not get very cold. I think keeping them above 50 is
best, although they can take the occasional drop below that point and live to
tell the tale.

5. To gauge your success, keep an eye on the new growths. If the new growths
have leaf sizes, psuedobulb height and diameters in line with previous growths,
you are doing fine. If any of those factors is lacking, light is the likely
culprit in my experience since they need a lot of it.

6. As with other things, good air circulation is a must- especially to help
ensure these dry out between waterings.

Hope this helps.

Take care,

Tom.