Purple orchids
 

Hello,

I want would like to give my mother a purple orchid (preferably fragrant) as a gift. I am trying to get her off phalaenopsis and bring her to the dark side. 🤓

Does anyone know of a purple fragrant cattleya or oncidium Alliance? She is a beginner so even though there a great purple zygos, miltoniopsis and Victoria regina, I think a complex easy grower is better. Thanks for your help!

Consider calling Orchids by Hausermann and explain what you want. They usually have more things in bud than they list on their Web site.

I sent my mom a budded Cattleya from them and it was far more amazing than I expected for the price. It came in an 8" pot with 11 buds, all of which opened magnificently. Extremely carefully packed, too. They have a lot of different things in bud all the time.

If you want some contrast, as in purple plus other colour, then could consider (consider only) ----- C. purpurata - there are a bunch of different colour types.

If want something small but nice ------ could consider C. Mini Purple.

Or even C. Mini Song.

Thank you both. Your suggestions led me in the direction to finding two orchids that fit the bill. I got a purple kingianum TR Samura and a Cattleya Jungle Nobility. We will see how they perform over the growing season and I will give her the one with the best show when (if) they bloom. (Then I keep the other lol ;) )

Great to hear you acquired a couple of nice ones! Fantastic!

Promise me you won't keep both and give her a new mop.

I just want to add, if you’re from an area with a mild climate, Zygopetalum can be very easy. I live on the California central coast and can keep them outside most of the year. They’re my mom’s favorites.

One of my mom’s friends got one at a grocery store last year, that she keeps as a house plant. My mom passed along my repotting advice and supplies, she repotted it, and sent us pictures this spring when it rebloomed for her.

If you don’t have issues with excessive heat Zygos can be great for beginners.

Haha, no I am out of high light areas in my winter setup. So, I won't keep both.

Also, thank you Aliceinwl for the tip on zygos. I have been a little scared of those because I hear people saying they are difficult.

If you are still looking for a show stopper purple fragrant orchid for your mom, try to buy her a Blc.Joann Yakimura Carmela. Big deep pink flower with golden rays in the center and with a very strong wonderful smell . Mine bloomed for the first time this hot late summer after some days of heavy rain.