Cattleya starter pack recommendations

[Mr.Fakename]

I would like to branch out a little bit and try a Catt for the very first time.

I'm really confused about the nomenclature and growing requirements of the Cattleya alliance; what would be a good plant to get started with?

[DirtyCoconuts]

did you set up your vanda area?

i ask bc they are high light plants that i find like to be very epiphytic and get dry between watering. I mount then or put them in shallow pots bc i have a humid universe. I would say to get almost any hybrid from Fred at SVO and it will be a good starter.

others with more knowledge of the entire world of catts may be able to make more tailored suggestions to your climate but the hybrids are more forgiving than the species in general and would be a good starting place.

[Mr.Fakename]

Yes it's almost good to go. I ordered a Sansi LED grow light and it should be here on Friday.

The terrarium stills need a heating source and some LECA in the bottom as a temporary solution until I move, but for now it'll do.

Thanks for the SVO advice, I'll browse through their catalog and see what's available here!

[rbarata]

Where do you live in France?

[Mr.Fakename]

Currenty near Toulouse, but I'll be heading to the Netherlands soon. So the Catt will be with Vandaceous in a controlled environment.

DC suggested a kind of grow tent, with tropical like conditions.

[rbarata]

With grow lights it's ok.

[Leafmite]

It is difficult to recommend a starter pack as there is such a variety in Cattleyas. Some bloom just once a year while others bloom more often. The appearance can vary widely. Some get very large while others stay small. Some produce just one or two flowers per sheath while others give you a small bouquet. Some are fragrant and others are not.

I have found among my orchid society that those who like Cattleyas have certain preferences for appearance in the flowers. I do, too.

Here are some good articles to get you started on Cattleyas:

AA Chadwick Articles

What I have been doing lately is choosing Cattleyas that remain small and are likely to be fragrant and bloom more than once a year. In the past, I had quite a collection of large Cattleyas that bloomed just once a year.

[Mr.Fakename]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

It is difficult to recommend a starter pack as there is such a variety in Cattleyas.

Tell me about it. And intergeneric hybrids complicate things even more...

Those culture sheets are a great help, thanks!

I find Cattleya aclandiae and tigrina to be super sexy

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Mr.Fakename

I find Cattleya aclandiae and tigrina to be super sexy

Great choice MFN. Once the growing area has sub-tropical to tropical conditions - and maybe maintaining gentle movement in there, and having fair control of the amount of water in and around the roots ------ your catts will grow very nicely. My recommendation for starter package is --- get the ones that are on your 'wish list'. We know you have a wish list hehehe

It's awesome how you're thinking of growing catts.

[estación seca]

I would recommend a hybrid rather than a species. They are often easier to grow and may flower several times a year. Plants like Bc. Yellow Bird, with Brassavola nodosa ancestry, have smaller flowers and often smaller plants, and are more tolerant of learning growers.