Purple catt decision

[Bill U.]

Hi everyone!

So I was wondering what suggestions or thoughts anyone would have about a great purple growing catt that is in the compact to mini sizing... Of course, I would love to get as man blooms as possible being an indoor grower, I have limited space, so I want to limit my choices to multiple bloomers per year.

I have come across 3 so far that have tickled my fancy, but there are many more out there that I know I don't know about!

Here are the 3 that I have seen:
-Lc Gaskell Pumila 'Azure Star'
-Lc Final Blue 'Royal Purple'
-Guaritonia Danny Quest (from marblebranchfarms.com)

Please let me know what you think or if you have any other suggestions (cattleya or not!)

Bill

PS- I cannot do any cool-growers that require below 65ºF

[cbuchman]

Try looking at Gold Country Orchids (Gold Country Orchids). I saw one at their sales display last night that was deep purple and a mico-mini, easy to grow, free flowering, etc. If you don't see what you want, call them. Not everything is on their web site.

Some to consider from GCO:
Sl. Orpetii 'Bonanza' AM/AOS x C. Horace 'Maxima' AM/AOS
Lc. Amethyst Star
Slc. Sierra Doll

[Paul]

Depends somewhat on just what you consider "mini."

Many vendors consider anything under 10 inches to be a mini (which I personally consider quite aggravating as to me and the AOS that is NOT mini). If I'm recalling correctly, AOS standards classify "mini" as the vegetative growth remaining 6 inches or less from the base of the pb to leaves' highest point. That is the ballpark measure I use. Whether or not your definition of mini differs from mine, I would advise you to ask the vendor just how tall an orchid will max out at before you buy.

There is also the question of just what you consider purple. Would a magenta count? Is lavender purple enough? Deep dark purples are not terribly common.

Slc. Angel Love is definitely a mini getting no more than 5 inches tall. I just posted one for sale in the classifieds section. It is a rather bright purple but not as searingly bright as it came out in the photo I posted with the ad.

Slc Love Castle 'Kurenai' is another nice one, IMO -- rich color, more of a vibrant purple. Not quite a true mini, the plant gets to be about 7" tall.

Otaara Krullsmith 'Riverbend' is what is typically classified as a "compact" catt (compact = 6" to 9" tall). Mine is at the 9" mark but the distance between pbs is next to non-existent so it is not a space hogging sprawler. Flowers are fairly large, fragrant and a deep satiny purple.