Must have Catts

[MACH5]

Hello Catt lovers!

I just wanted to ask what are your top 5 Catts that you either have or are in your wish list of "must haves". I am trying to put togehter a small collection of Catts but would like it to be "collector grade". BTW I don't think there is such a thing as a Catt that's beneath me but hopefully you know what I mean

[WhiteRabbit]

pupurata! any (or all) variety(ies)! ;D

[Wynn Dee13]

Are you wanting only Catts or anything in the Cattleya alliance? Let me know what your looking for and I can tell you some nice ones. Also hybrids or species? If your into mini-catts or any Catt, Sunset Valley Orchids is a great place to get them at. They are all seed grown so you will have a one of a kind orchid.

[MACH5]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

pupurata! any (or all) variety(ies)! ;D

Thanks WR! Purpuratas are gorgeous indeed!! Love these!!

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

Are you wanting only Catts or anything in the Cattleya alliance? Let me know what your looking for and I can tell you some nice ones. Also hybrids or species? If your into mini-catts or any Catt, Sunset Valley Orchids is a great place to get them at. They are all seed grown so you will have a one of a kind orchid.

Wynn Dee I think I'd like to stick with just Catts for now. Also just a newbie question. Can you explain to me the difference between species and hybrids? I have a notion what this is but still like to ask. Is there one that's more desirable than the other?

Thanks again for the expert advice

[Wynn Dee13]

A species grows or did grow naturally somewhere in the world. They are made by nature. A hybrid is two or more species bred together by humans and doesn't exist in the wild. A hybrid is man made. There are natural primary hybrids (between two species) that occur naturally in the wild where two species grow together or close together.

I asked about the Cattleya alliance because most hybrids are bred with other plants in the Cattleya alliance like Laelia and Sophronitis. Laelias are great plants too and are pretty easy to grow. Pretty much the same as Cattleyas.

Purpurata was a Laelia but is now classified as a Cattleya. I still call it a Laelia though.

[Oscarman]

Just 5! I don't think I could limit myself to only that many.

Species:
Brassavola nodosa
C. aclandiae
C. dowiana
C. gigas
L. purpurata
Rhyncholaelia digbyana, oh crap that's 6!

[Wynn Dee13]

I forgot, hybrids generally are hardier because they were made to be easier to grow than species. Many hybrids also bloom more times per year than species. Although there are species that bloom more than once a year. I like species because they are natural and not man made. I do grow hybrids though too. As far as which one is more desirable it just depends on the person. Some people prefer species and some hybrids. And some people like both!

[MACH5]

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

A species grows or did grow naturally somewhere in the world. They are made by nature. A hybrid is two or more species bred together by humans and doesn't exist in the wild. A hybrid is man made. There are natural primary hybrids (between two species) that occur naturally in the wild where two species grow together or close together.

I asked about the Cattleya alliance because most hybrids are bred with other plants in the Cattleya alliance like Laelia and Sophronitis. Laelias are great plants too and are pretty easy to grow. Pretty much the same as Cattleyas.

Purpurata was a Laelia but is now classified as a Cattleya. I still call it a Laelia though.

Thanks again Wynn Dee! Yes just read about the purpurata and the issues with its classification which I found interesting. Very beautiful! So you would recommend for me to look into Sunset Valley Orchids yes?

[james mickelso]

Yeah dowiana is soooo nice. But I'm a hybrid fancier. I like big gaudy BLC's with lots of fragrance. Big gaudy purple/burgundy,red,yellows. With some orange in them. Toshi Aoki "blumen insel", Waianae Leopard, Lucky "golden boy", Memoria Benigno Aquino, and one I have getting ready to bloom big time, Monument Valley X Bryce Canyon. And there are sooo many more. Just have a look at Sunset Valley Orchids or Santa Barbara Orchid Estates. Look up BLC on the net. Hours of drooling.

[MACH5]

Great thanks James! Stupid question... what's BLC??? I need to know so that I can drool too!!