Suggest a mini-cat for me

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by dbarron

That sounds reasonable, and then perhaps another 6-8 inches height on the flower stalk.
It still seems overmuch for a windowsill where a six inch pot is the absolute max space. Maybe I need to stick with my dendrobiums, paphs, and smaller oncidiums?

I'm pretty sure that the plant he's holding in that photo is in a 4 inch pot and has two flowers... I have many Cattleyas with 6 inch tall pbulbs in 3 inch pots if at any point they grow out of the pot you just place another pot of the same size next to it and the plant will grow into it. He's also got many plants blooming in 2.25 inch pots... so it's definitely possible to have windowsill cattleyas. The plants will eventually grow out of the pot but that doesn't mean you need to pot it up in a bigger pot if you aren't looking to reach specimen size.

[Roberta]

When in doubt, ask... Fred is extremely responsive and helpful. He has "mini-Catts" and "compact Catts" separated. The minis bloom on very small plants. Many have Sophronitis coccinea in their background. It is pretty typical to have flowers almost as big as the plant. He can make suggestions. Since nearly all of what he sells are new crosses (not mericlones) you're not likely to get an old grex such as Little Toshie, he makes new grexes with excellent cultivars of these older plants as parents. (He has a great stable of stud plants)

[estación seca]

C. (or Sl.) Beaufort is the tiny C. (formerly Sophronitis) coccinea crossed with the mini C. (formerly Laelia) luteola. It will live and flower for years in a 3" pot. Fred Clark has some now. It doesn't need the strong light other Catts require because C. luteola is a shade plant.

[dbarron]

Ok, I emailed Fred and asked for his suggestion. He's apparently out on speaking tour for 10 days and will respond when he returns.
I'm not dying (for once) to buy something...so that's just fine

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by estación seca

C. (or Sl.) Beaufort is the tiny C. (formerly Sophronitis) coccinea crossed with the mini C. (formerly Laelia) luteola. It will live and flower for years in a 3" pot. Fred Clark has some now. It doesn't need the strong light other Catts require because C. luteola is a shade plant.

Sounds perfect for the windowsill!

---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:13 PM ----------

Originally Posted by dbarron

Ok, I emailed Fred and asked for his suggestion. He's apparently out on speaking tour for 10 days and will respond when he returns.
I'm not dying (for once) to buy something...so that's just fine

That explains why the Catasetum list wasn’t released in late June/early July 😝

(website says July 24 — would expect newsletter subs to receive a pre sale a week prior.)

[RJSquirrel]

good luck just pick one and go with it!!