Thanks, Bill. I had this labeled as C. maxima var. lowlands but now I think this is one of the highlands variety, perhaps the C. maxima v. venosa. The pseudobulbs are what I would call "short", only 6" to a maximum of 12" tall. I think I remember that the lowlands has taller pseudobulbs than that. What do you think Bill?

Yes I did find that in my research that the upland bulbs of maxima tend to be shorter.
However, the difference listed for bulb girth and length was not terribly different. And then when you consider how much culture can impact the vegetative parameters, I would be reluctant to make that call.
PLUS keep in mind that in today's world of Cattleyas, there is a great deal of tetraploidy. Tetraploids would tend to have shorter and thicker bulbs with thicker, rounder leaves.

Personally I find Cattleya maxima to be one of the two or three most beautiful species within the genus! Why?? Flowers have good size and anything with a gorgeous veined lip like that has to be recognized as noteworthy!!

Humm, so, Bill, my plants don't have a name that they can call their own?

Sure they do.
Cattleya maxima 'I belong to Ken' AM/AOS.
Cattleya maxima 'I am prettier then the other one'. HCC/AOS.

My C. maxima 'Manola' doesn't know whether he is low or high. I love him anyway.

Bill.

When I submit the plant/flowers to the AOS judges, that's the name I will give them?

I got a few more of the "salvage" orchids done today. They were all some sort or the other Vanda. Most were in wood baskets and the baskets, all 9 of them, were rotted. I've now got them all hanging in the Lanai, 7 of the 9 in small plastic baskets, one in a small cedar basket and one in a coconut half. They are all hanging from one girder, like a chain of orchids. I will let them stay in this situation until they have time to recover (hopefully), and then find suitable spots for all of them. I'll get a photo tomorrow (if I remember ).

When I get my camera out, I'll also take some photos of those two blooming C. maxima and a newly blooming Cymbidium. I have several more in bud (one with 22 buds).

It occurs to me that when they are removed from nature and bred for sale in controlled environments, couldn't that change the color and size of the PB? Then it's just a C. maxima.

Photo, Carol?

Carol, do you have a photo of yours handy? If not, our faithful Australis has entered your Manola here
Orchid (Cattleya maxima 'Manolo')

Orchid (Cattleya maxima 'Manolo') If you look at others in the database, there is a lot of variation.

Carol, does your plant's flower have that slight veining in the petals? Mine is of course a lavender color with bold veining, both in the lip/throat and petals.

He already did, Ursula

Yup!

By the way, if my orchids are indeed C. maxima 'venosa', I can't find this in the data base.

Ken, check the link. I think yours it a bit darker than mine, but the others there are quite variable.
Ok. Now you threw in another name...

Oh you guys are just too good!

All my maximas currently reside in "Boot Hill"!!!

Mine is certainly not a semi-alba, Carol. There is strong veining in the lip/throat and petals, and slight veining in the sepals. I had already posted a possible name for mine. I have been confused about the exact name of mine for the last 5 yr. Still confused. It's not your variety though.

Ken, it's way beyond my scope, but if you looked at the rest of the photos of C. Maxima, you can see a lot of variation, and most are darker than yours. Semi alba could mean lots of things. If you're not planning on showing or selling, just accept the name you have.

Very informative comments on C. maxima, @BigBill. Would you be willing to add it as a comment on the database entry: Orchid (Cattleya maxima)

Be my guest Joshua!
If you think it is worth then by all means.