I Want to Grow a BIG Cattleya

[schwing]

The majority of the cattleyas I have are mini; flowers not over a couple inches across. I started those while I was growing under lights, but now that I've migrated to a small greenhouse, I would like to go to the other extreme.

Can anyone suggest any plants that would have really large flowers? Fragrant would be a nice bonus and green or blue would be icing on the cake, although color not as important to this splurge as size.

I usually do my shopping on eBay but with winter coming soon, my shopping season is coming close to an end. Also, I'm planning on going to the Chicagoland Show so if there is one I can look for there, that would make it convenient.

Thanks!
-ken

[Lorraine]

Hi Ken,

Here is one that is big...BLC Mem Helen Brown 'Ta-Hsin'
You can check it out in my gallery. It has been divided I had to use a heavy bunge cord to keep it upright If you don't find her available there are some siblings like 'Afton' that are close. It has large leaves a great size flowers. I had a thread about this plant so you can see more pics there too. I'm waiting for some younger chids to bloom and see what I have. Another is Bob Betts 'White Lightening' It might be fragrant. I have a division. Happy shopping I know you will get a lot more names.

[Cookiemonster]

Ohhhh Chicagoland, very nice, I hope your wallet will be ready for the shock


Let me see, Green or Blue large sized flowering catts- what comes to mind are
Green
Blc. Ports of Paradise
Catteleycha Siam Jade
Rhyncholaelia (Brassavola) digbyana

Blue/Purple
Lc. Dinard 'Blue Heaven'
Lc. Mary Elizabeth Bohn (not fragrant)
Lc. Canhamiana 'Cobalt' (not fragrant)
Lc. Aloha Case 'Ching Hua'
walkeriana,
Also laelia purpuratas are fragrant and several come in various shades of blue and purple!

I hope this helps, most important see if you have the growing conditions before picking something out!!
good luck !

[cb977]

Hi Ken

Blc Dora Louise Capen 'Lea' AM/AOS has rather large blooms


Blc George King 'Serendipity'

This one is extremely fragrant! i think I'm allergic to it! Took a big whiff and had the sniffles for about 4 days after!

another is C Penny Kuroda:


and the biggest bloom I get, so far is from C Celia:


These blooms are 6-7" across!

[jim blanford]

Hausermanns and Oak Hill, will have good Catt's at the Chicagoland Fest. If you liked white I would suggest one of these.
C. Empress Bells


C. Carl Hausermann

[Dorothy]

You might want to browse through Carmela's Orchids - Take a few minutes and browse our online store - They are known to carry big floofy catts ..
These Chicagoland Orchid Growers Association greenhouses will be open for the public -
Windsong Orchids
Klehm Growers (not open during Festival)
Oak Hill Gardens
Orchids by Hausermann
Natt's Orchids
Here is a map and the list with their websites -
Chicagoland Orchid Festival
I couldn't find a vendor's list but here is a link to their site - Chicagoland Orchid Festival
Festival Info - Chicagoland Orchid Festival

[jim blanford]

If you go to the name of each COGA, you'll scroll down and the vendor list should be there. Try it.

[Hausermann]

Hi
If you are attending the Chicagoland Orchid Fest. We have many large Cattleyas. I know Oak Hill also has many to choose from as well. You may want to peruse our websites to get an idea of what we have to offer.
See you at the Fest!
Lynn
Orchids by Hausermann, Inc.

[blackorchid]

Welcome to the World of Odom's Orchids carries big blooming size floofy catt with decent shipping charge and their plants are known to be big. I'm planning to order some of them.
About plant selection:
Red: Blc. Chia Lin ('New City' and 'P.C.T' are some nice clones) ---big RED flower which is praised for the color and nice scent, reasonably large.
Pink: I have to admit I'm a size queen here. Triumphal Coronation, Pamela Hetherington, Pink Empress are very BIG
Green: Blc. Greenwich has a big flower and big scent. Port of Paradise are nice too!
If you're confused, get the Blc. Chia Lin, you won't be disappointed.

[Magnus A]

Look into the one leafed Brazilian Cattleya´s!

On the site Cattleya Orchid Source - Cattleya Orchid Species you can find a lot of interesting information!

Some suggestions:
Cattleya labiata
Cattleya warscewiczii
Cattleya gaskelliana
Cattleya percivilliana