Are orange Cattleyas uncommon?

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by plantluvver

Fred Clarke's Sunset Valley Orchids, Inc.
Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

From what I could tell, his Cattleyas seem to be mostly seedlings from his own crosses. He sells others, too.

He is a very good vendor. I'll bet that orchid is beautiful.
I am a fan of fragrance in Cattleyas so I usually buy species, clones, or crosses that are very sure of being fragrant. Still, every now and then, I have been disappointed. :|

[estación seca]

Fred specializes in breeding Catts in the red/yellow/orange range, as well as blue Catts, spotted Catts, species Catts and smaller plants.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Most of my Catt's come from Fred. I can never not get some every year when he puts out his new list.

[plantluvver]

For clarification, I do not want to imply criticism of Fred Clarke. First, I do not know that it was Fred Clarke that said scent is recessive. Several people were working at the booth. Also, it was the afternoon of the third and last day of the show, and people were likely getting a bit grumpy.

And just now, I can smell that orchid. I see that the sun has just reached the bloom.

A second orchid from Fred is opening its first of four buds. No scent from it, at least not yet.

[Roberta]

Was the show the one in Santa Barbara? (Guessing that it might be, since you (plantluvvr) are now in Goleta) I don't thing Fred was staffing the booth... I was there on Saturday and didn't see hem. There are several people who handle the selling at shows - all knowledgeable guys. Unbloomed hybrid seedlings are surprise packages... the more complex the background, the more variation is likely, within a batch from the same seed pod (think children in a family) Getting a mericlone may come closer to providing a predictable flower (though there can be variation there too) but getting a seedling from a hybridizer is like buying a painting from an artist - it's unique. From SVO, pretty much the one near-guarantee is that it will be lovely.

[plantluvver]

I thought I had answered your post.

Yes, it was the show in Santa Barbara. I went on Sunday.

I also went to a local show last year at the Natural History Museum in Santa Barbara. I wanted to join the local club, but I rely on public transit to get around and it just won't work for their meetings.

My second Catt seedling from SVO is currently blooming, no fragrance. A very dark red.

I finally snapped some quick photos the other night because the orange blooms were just about ready to drop. I hope to eventually post them.

[Roberta]

Looking forward to your pix! Don't recall... were both plants the same cross? Or different ones?