It looks like a phragmipedium. Possibly with some besseae in it. That is my guess, anyway. It has lovely color to it.

Thanks, Lisa. I looked at some phragmipedium bessea pictures online, and they look similar to mine. I'm reading up on their culture requirements - thanks again for your help.

Yes definitely a Phrag, could even be the type species, besseae. I don't want to scare you but this genus is not easy. They are found terrestrially, nearly always growing by running water, so their culture is completely different from their close relatives the Paphipedilums (slipper orchids), which like much drier, often alkaline, conditions. Keep them always moist, preferably using rainwater and make sure the water around the roots is never stagnant. I don't grow them on account of their difficulty but a friend at our local OS who does says, if grown in pots you must wash the pot through thoroughly every time you water, which he does twice a week. He uses pure sphagnum, no bark or any other compost that will decay easily and never lets them get cold. Good luck - Ian.

Ian, I've lucked out so far. Received the orchid in March, did not do anything special as to its care - watered once a week, fertilized ocassionally, and had it summering outdoors. Now it's blooming profusely. However, now that I know what it is, and have read the culture requirements, I'm a little intimidated by it. Will try to follow all culture requirements, especially its water needs, but watch me, with my luck, I might drown it by next spring : - (

If it works, don't fix it. I kill all my Phrags doing the 'Correct Phrag Thing'.

Nick

Yep that definitely is some besseae cross. They don't like as much water as some of the Phrags do. I have some besseae crosses but I still give generous amount of water, more than once a week,and they really don't like fertilizer hardly at all. The flowers you're getting now are from last years growth so do whatever was done to it last year.gb good luck

Ha - just came up from watering my phrag. Thanks all for your input. Will post pictures next spring if I succeed in blooming it again.