Looking for healthy catt. - Orchid Board

Tim P. · #1 01-19-2014, 03:15 AM

Hey everyone,
I was looking at getting a healthy catt to try as a noob, and I found the type that I want. I found this one that is blooming size on ebay, but am worried about the shrunken PBs. what do you guys think?

A Sale BS Cattleya Dick Smith Fragrant Colorful Longlasting Orchid | eBay

I absolutely fell in love with this flower and hope that I can grow one to bloom, but have been known to be hated by orchids... just ask my paphs

thanks everyone!

chilipepper · #2 01-19-2014, 03:37 AM

Not up on all the abbreviations (pb) but for $20 I say why not give it a shot!

---------- Post added at 01:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 AM ----------

Oh pseudobulbs duh

katrina · #3 01-19-2014, 08:53 AM

The pbulbs are ridged and that's quite common in some catts. Some are far more ridged than that even. Those growths looking perfectly fine to me.

tucker85 · #4 01-19-2014, 10:36 AM

I agree with Katrina, I would not worry about the ridges on the pseudobulbs. Almost all my cattleyas have some pseudobulbs that look like that. But there are two issues. Shipping orchids this time of year is a little risky because of the cold weather. Some of the big vendors won't ship at all right now. Catts can handle the cold better than other orchids but freezing weather can damage them. The other issue is the price. $20 isn't too bad for a cattleya that size but I see the number $35.99 on there also. That would be way too much money for a small cattleya. I just wanted to make those two points for you to consider before you buy. Good luck.

katrina · #5 01-19-2014, 10:46 AM

I'm glad Tucker brought it up (I was hesitant to)...add in the $13 for shipping and it's really starting to add up. It's not too bad if it goes for the starting price but if several people start bidding...it could end up costing a good deal more than it's true value. Be careful.

Early on in my collecting I spent too much on several orchids because of bidding wars (Oh no you don't! You aren't taking it from me! mentality) so now I only do BIN purchasing. I can't be trusted in auction settings.

Vanda lover · #6 01-19-2014, 10:58 AM

you have good taste in catts. I would love one like that, I hope you can get it.

james mickelso · #7 01-19-2014, 12:07 PM

First, unless you are an experienced grower of catts this probably won't bloom for you this season. I see good looking growth buds at the base of two of these pbulbs but that doesn't mean you will be able to flower them. Changes in growing conditions usually mean these won't bloom. The price also disqualifies them. The shipping alone sends the price too high. I would buy from a known entity for this price. Nice orchid but not for that money. I'm sure if you look around you can find nice catts closer where you can actually handle them, examine the roots, and they will be more acclimated to your conditions. And the heat paks cost you. I wouldn't buy this.

Leafmite · #8 01-19-2014, 01:37 PM

If this would be your first cattleya, do some research. When I first started buying cattleyas, I had no idea what I wanted...I just bought everything that was a cattleya. Then I discovered how huge they could grow and that many only bloom once a year...and there are many that bloom more than once a year! And 'fragrant' seems to be an overly used term...some orchids that are advertised as fragrant turn out not to be so. So check this one out elsewhere and make certain that everyone lists it as fragrant, too.
I also agree that you might want to look around, first, at other vendors. I always like to check reviews at Dave's Garden before buying from a new vendor. There are so many vendors that you can call and ask about the orchids and who will be happy to tell you all about the orchid and help you pick the right one. Good luck!

Kailyn · #9 01-19-2014, 01:50 PM

be careful bidding on orchids I've had sellers create a mock bid against me to try and drive the price up. Ill stop bidding as the 2nd highest bidder the item will close and in a couple days get a second chance to buy as the winner of the auction didn't come through. Its happened enough times I'm almost positive its the seller or someone involved trying to push the price up.

Vanda lover · #10 01-19-2014, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kailyn

be careful bidding on orchids I've had sellers create a mock bid against me to try and drive the price up. Ill stop bidding as the 2nd highest bidder the item will close and in a couple days get a second chance to buy as the winner of the auction didn't come through. Its happened enough times I'm almost positive its the seller or someone involved trying to push the price up.

Who to you find in Canada to buy orchids from on Ebay? Zygopedilum is the only one I have seen. I have bought from them and they are reliable. Did you buy from another country?