Vintage Cattleya sources
 

Howdy all,

Can you recommend sources, commercial or private, for vintage, original division cattleyas? There's the Chadwicks, of course, and Waldor, but there must be others. I'm leary of scams on ebay since the seller could be long gone before I'd know I was sold an imposter. These plants are too expensive for me to risk good money on bad people. I'm specifically looking for species plants originally collected in the wild, but I could be tempted by certain classic hybrids, or species the have lived their entire lives in captivity.

I suspect that many hybridizers have divisions of their breeding stock loitering in chained off areas of their greenhouse(s). But I live in Wisconsin, far from most commercial establishments. Random phone calls don't seem to be the way to go. And I've contacted several growers who just ask what I'm looking for. Really? Not helpful. There are thousands of plants that I might consider buying, and you want me to give you three or four possibilities?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Steve H. SW WI USA USDA zone 3

If you have a hard time finding more sources, then maybe one other good option is to email orchid societies - including American Orchid Society. Some society members may have contacts to put you onto.

This is a tough question. There really aren't vendors that sell old hybrids. The vendors will often cut pieces off on request or have something in the back, like you mentioned. Maybe it might be easier if you make a list of 10 "must have" plants and see if anyone has those?

Check out Ironwood Orchids in North Carolina.

There are several collectors of classic Cattleyas, who give talks and occasionally sell divisions. If you go to the Orchid Mall and look through 'The Unclassified Ads', you will find some of them.

Also try:
Odom's in FL
Carter & Holmes in SC
Hausermann's in IL

jade orchids in Naples FL

Ecuagenera seems to have about anything, but you have to ask. Everything I have purchased from them; I have had to ask specifically for as it wasn't in their online catalogue. I love them.

Just getting some clarification about ----- 'I've contacted several growers who just ask what I'm looking for.'

Just double-checking. They ask you what you are looking for? You mean you tell them what you are looking for, and then they proceed to ask you what you are looking for?

SVO has a division list, and Keith Davis Orchids is a place you want to keep your eyes on for old cattleya divisions.

If anyone has ever seen any signs of Rlc. Xanthette (eg. Rlc. Xanthette 'Panther Creek' etc) ...... then please post here too. I have a feeling that it is either really deep under the radar, or might not even be around anymore. I'm looking for that one - or something like that one.