Mini Catts or fall bloomers?

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by Troythediver

Of course all of the examples you guys posted are ones that I would love to have in my collection.

So maybe I should step back. What is the definition of a mini Catt? If potinara is a mini Catt then I already have one!

As for the summer/autumn question, I was opening that up to all orchids not just the mini Catts.

Sorry, most of the cattleyas I posted are considered compact cattleyas instead of mini-cattleyas. True mini-cattleyas are less than 6" tall and usually have small flowers that can be 2-3". C. Crystelle Smith 'Gold Throat' is a true mini-catt. My fascination is with the compact catts that are less than 12" tall and can have 3-4" flowers. Maybe I shouldn't have posted those. Marble Branch Farms has separate pages for their mini-catts and compact catts.. Sunset Valley Orchids also divides their plants into those two cattagories. Gold Country Orchids is another source of good mini-catts.. The true mini-catts don't do well for me in South Florida because it's too hot for them. They are hybrids of cool growing species. Browse these vendors and you're sure to find something you like.

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Gold Country Orchids

Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

---------- Post added at 07:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 AM ----------

True mini-catts often have species like C. coccinea and Sophronitis in their breeding background. Here's Sunset Valley's description of mini-catts..

The mini-cats are plants that will stay under 6” tall and bloom in a 3”-4” pot. It is not uncommon for mini-cats to bloom twice a year. Mini-cats are making a comeback, the modern breeding has developed surprisingly nice improvements where the plants are heat tolerant, produce large flowers, have brilliant colors and superb flower shape. Some of the excellent parents being used are: Pot. Rubescence, Sc. Beaufort, Slc. Tangerine Jewel, Sl. Minipet, and Slc. Pink Doll. There is always space for more of these in every collection.

[Troythediver]

Tucker,

Thanks for the thorough post. I've decided that I love both the mini and the compact ideas.

3"-4" pot would be a huge space saver, but adding 1 or 2 compact Catts would be lovely. I think my potinara would fit the definition of a compact. If my potinara flowers would that indicate that I have enough light for most of the compact Catts. Do the minis tend to do better with cooler temps and less light than the larger Catts? The pic is of my potinara purchased in August.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by Troythediver

Tucker,

Thanks for the thorough post. I've decided that I love both the mini and the compact ideas.

3"-4" pot would be a huge space saver, but adding 1 or 2 compact Catts would be lovely. I think my potinara would fit the definition of a compact. If my potinara flowers would that indicate that I have enough light for most of the compact Catts. Do the minis tend to do better with cooler temps and less light than the larger Catts? The pic is of my potinara purchased in August.

Many of the minis do like cooler temperatures and can take lower light levels. I've had trouble growing several of the mini-catts because they can't take our Florida heat.

[Troythediver]

Welcome to northern Ohio, Mini Catts!

[Paul]

As Jeff said, true mini catts should be no taller than 6" at maturity. Compacts should top out around 9". Now with that in mind, if you are looking at plants either at a show or online and the vendor says they are "mini's", make SURE you ask just how tall the plant will get (assuming that is important to you). I have run into more then just a few vendors who will label any catt that will be under 12" tall as a "mini".

[No-Pro-mwa]

In October I got several compact Catt's from Sun Valley Orchids I am just hoping to do good by them. They are all healthy came packed great. I bought 11 and Fred Clark sent an extra.

I was going to get some mini's but I don't think I ended up with any, but I may need to get them because if they like it cool they might like me better.

Tucker your Catt's are so beautiful.