Great flower -- what does the rest of the plant look like?

[dshallpost]

Hope you all will permit me a bit of a rant -- and also give me some advice --

I wish all sellers would always put the expected height at maturity into the description. Some do, some use classifications like "compact", or "standard" but many don't. I have gotten used to looking up the parents and trying to figure it out, but it would be so nice if that information were just available. SVO has listings that are organized by category, but most sellers just show you a photo of the flower. I care a lot about what the plant looks like because most of the year I am looking at a plant without blooms on it.

Youtube provides a lot of information, and I have also often just queried the seller. If you buy a plant on eBay, you get to see the actual plant, but you still have to find out how big it is likely to get.

I am buying mostly Cattleyas, and they have to be under 20 inches, ideally no more than 16-18 inches.

I have the book on Compact Orchids (Steven Frowrine) and have purchased several of those.

I wish there were some place to go for a listing of Cattleyas, organized by size, with photos of the plants as well as the flower, and denoting those that are good for growing under lights.

If anyone here is looking for the same kind of thing and has found any useful information, would love to hear.

[Cheddarbob14]

I dont know any better than the already mentioned SVO. Fred is also great about responding to any questions you send him. Plus hes known for throwing in a bonus plant whenever you purchase from him. Hope someone provides you with exactly what you are looking for

[SillyKeiki]

I agree with you on the sellers only showing the flower issue. One needs to know how the rest of the plant looks like, because most of the time we will be looking at an "expensive lettuce" in hopes that it blooms once a year.

Also some orchids can get really big. Those should have a warning too.

And also... those that smell like rotting corpses...

[WaterWitchin]

I thought from the thread topic this would be a different rant. Won't hijack your thread... okay, maybe just a bit.

When folks post pictures of blooming orchids here, I like a good closeup. But also wish many times to also see a picture of the whole plant. Helps me put in perspective whether it's something I truly wish to grow, or just admire from afar and let someone else take care of it all the other months of the year. Done with hijack rant. Thanks for your patience.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by dshallpost

If you buy a plant on eBay, you get to see the actual plant,

Not always. I have seen many a posting in which the seller says that one will receive a plant "like the one pictured".

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by SillyKeiki

I agree with you on the sellers only showing the flower issue. One needs to know how the rest of the plant looks like, because most of the time we will be looking at an "expensive lettuce" in hopes that it blooms once a year.

Also some orchids can get really big. Those should have a warning too.

And also... those that smell like rotting corpses...

Are you aware that certain orchids only get pollinated if they smell of rotting material??? Many Bulbophyllums fit the category and I grow quite a few.

[Leafmite]

Cattleyas were very popular, years ago, for corsages, and that was the main reason people knew them, fell in love with them, then grew them. So, yes, traditionally, much of the hybridizing concerned the larger orchids. Lately, though, this is beginning to change as less people are growing orchids in greenhouses and more are using windowsills and lights.

With other plants, the eventual size is almost always listed (fruit trees, vegetable plants, berries, outdoor flowers, tropical plants). With orchids, unless I have seen them somewhere, it is usually a guess.
'Miniature' can be anywhere from a twenty-four inch Cymbidium to a Lepanthopsis astrophora. Large can be a thirty-foot Vanilla vine. Not very descriptive.

So, why is this? Is it that difficult to take a ruler to measure that Cattleya? Or, are vendors still imagining that everyone has unlimited greenhouse space instead of windows or shelves of lights?

The majority of my orchid collection are made up of 'miniature' and 'small' orchids and fit together in a twenty-gallon aquarium. The rest are 'smaller' orchids and fit on a four-foot shelf together (along with the table-top greenhouse that has my Dracula and Haraella). The size of a potential orchid is definitely important to me. With all the other plants I collect, I only have so much room for orchids!

---------- Post added 08-10-2018 at 12:10 AM ---------- Previous post was 08-09-2018 at 11:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by DeaC

Are you aware that certain orchids only get pollinated if they smell of rotting material??? Many Bulbophyllums fit the category and I grow quite a few.

I prefer the better smelling orchids, too. I selected Bulbos that either smell nice (over-ripe fruit is nice, right?) or ones that require the nose to be in the flower to get a whiff. The exception, a gift from another member, might be the seedling Bulbo carunculatum. The vendor selfed it from his own which 'perfumes' his entire greenhouse. It might not remain a permanent part of my collection. Maybe I will contact you when the time comes....

[estación seca]

Height at maturity is very dependent on growing conditions. Relative plant sizes are the best to be expected.