Bc. Richard Mueller ‘Newberry’ HCC/AOS x Laelia (Schomburgkia) splendida (mounted)

Photos show two first blooming seedlings in our greenhouse Most Bc. Richard Mueller hybrids are easy to grow and flower, but they also have a predictable and similar look causing you to sometimes have to read the tag to know which one in particular is blooming now. If you don’t have one or more in your collection already then you are the rare exception! But here is really cool Bc. Richard Mueller cross that is guaranteed to show a new ‘twist’ while still offering a compact, vigorous plant that requires no special care! We accomplished this genetically difficult cross by using the tetraploid ‘Newberry’ clone of Bc. Richard Mueller. Although Laelia splendida is a magnificent and formidable giant of an orchid, Bc. Richard Mueller always dominates for size and growth habit, so these should stay compact. The first plants to bloom have been under 10 inches tall, though they may grow larger with age. We expect tall, stately spikes with clusters of really cool wavy-petal flowers with rich colors that open simultaneously and last a very long time. The first bloomers in our greenhouse have continued to rebloom on each successive growth, so we expect all of these to be frequent bloomers. The plants will be easy growers that like bright conditions, prefer an open medium, a basket or a mount, and require less water than most orchids to stay plump and healthy. Our main photo shows the second flowering of one of the seedlings and it already has 5 good sized flowers, so we expect up to 10 or more flowers on mature plants. Sure to be a dependable and interesting orchid in your collection!