Your favorite Cattleya/Laelia purpuratas

[greenhouseFrog]

I’m taking some(in my eyes)bold strides in the Cattleya alliance by trying out some species. I was gifted a blooming lueddemanniana not long ago and have since been hearing/reading about other forgiving species(relative to my location)to cut my teeth my on. Purpuratas caught my eye with their taller stature, and the v.schusteriana is, in my opinion, very hot stuff!

Tell me about your favorites and what you love and hate about them—I’m interested in hearing your take and thank you for taking the time!

[estación seca]

Cattleya purpurea in all its forms is one of the most heat-tolerant of all Cattleya alliance plants. Plus, the warmer the temperatures, the more vigorously it grows. I love all of them. Fertilize them heavily unless you are short on growing space.

[Roberta]

C. purpurata is in the "bulletproof" group. Not only is it heat tolerant, it's also cold tolerant. And with so many color forms to choose from, you can love as many as you have room for... and then some. They are not petite... but put on a fantastic show.