About the Sacramento Orchid Society

The Sacramento Orchid Society was founded in 1947 as an educational organization dedicated to providing information on the cultivation of orchids to the greater Sacramento community.

Members and non-members are welcome at our FREE Monthly Meetings that feature expert speakers from around the world, opportunities for members to sell plants to one another, a raffle of plants, and a delightful measure of fellowship and good times.

The Society's very active membership grows an almost unimaginable number of orchid species and hybrids on windowsills, patios, in yards, under lights, and in greenhouses.

Orchid of the Month for September, 2019

Pot. Roy’s Magic

By Livia Fowler

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." (From sonnet 43, Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

It is a good thing this writing is not supposed to be about my very favorite of all orchids as it would simply be impossible to pick a single plant. However, I chose a plant that fills me with happiness at a glance and at a whiff! I was very nervous when first I purchased this beauty, fearing that my inexperience would be its demise. Instead, this plant is an astounding trooper that has rewarded me time and again with plentiful flowers and truly sends me each spring to "powder puff heaven."

From the Orchid Board I have learned the following:

"Potinara is a great example of the confusion in naming orchids, and THAT is a great reason for not letting it get you “bent out of shape.” The Potinara is a cross of FOUR different genus’ of orchids (Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia x Sophronitis), and I think all agree there is Cattleya in them. Regular cattleya care is best. They like as much sun as you can give them without burning the leaves and they like to dry out between waterings. Fertilize weekly, weakly with a plain water flush every fourth time."

This specific plant is listed as Pot. Roy's Magic 'Carmela' Burana Beauty x Lc. Tokyo Magic, originally from Hawaii.

Since the above was written in 2010, I would not be greatly surprised if there has been renaming or reclassifying of this beautiful plant. Pot. Roy's Magic flowers have unique blend of bright yellow petals with red flares on petals and lip. This orchid is a medium size and a prolific fragrant bloomer, reportedly it can bloom twice, or more, a year, but I have only managed to get blooms in the spring.

I certainly recommend following prescribed culture practices for cattleyas from the wealth of knowledge around us (Sacramento Orchid Society members, American Orchid Society, Allan Koch, etc.). I will also add that once you've ventured into the vast world of orchids, you will find yourself growing less fearful as time and experience grow. And when you encounter beautiful and sturdy specimens, like Roy's Magic, that gloriously reward your efforts, well, you will be deliciously addicted!