Antique, Vintage & Heirloom Cattleyas

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Stumbled across this thread today - what a wonderful list of old classic Cattleyas!

Anyone have any "new vintage" plants that ought to make the list?

Anyone have a classic that has bloomed for you recently?

My eyeballs are bigger than my wallet, but I am always on the lookout for sources of the old Cattleya classics.

I've really gotten into the vintage Catts myself, much to the dismay of my wallet. Thanks for bumping up this awesome list of heritage Catts.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I don't know if mine would be considered classics, but I do have 3 oldies:

Cattleya Wayndora (bloomed recently)
Cattlianthe Golden Wax (2 plants in sheath)
Cattleya Orglade's Blaze (in spike)

Wayndora (C. Terry Wayne x C. Fedora) has been used in several other hybrids. I have no idea what it should look like ideally, but I like mine. Maybe I will post a picture.

Jones & Scully is a grower mentioned earlier in the thread; the other 2 plants I named above were purchased from Jones & Scully; I still have the receipt, it was tucked in the dust jacket of one of my old orchid books!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Just found this thread an oldie. Orchid Whisperer did you ever post a pic?

[rosebudforglory]

This thread is old - but maybe the below will help someone else. My suggestion is to join the American Orchid Society where amongs other benefits you will have access to their magazines from last month to back in the 1930s. I’d start with the last year they were in business - 1992 and go backwards. But many of theirs were awarded many years past their utter destruction by Hurricane Andrew. In each monthly mag and the supplements - you will see the awarded orchids with pictures and points earned and who presented it. You will certainly enjoy going through these back issues along with new issues and will learn a lot on culture and history. You will also have access to Lindleyana Magazine - The Scientific Journal of the American Orchid Society published from 1986 through 2002. The quarterly issues contained fantastic articles or the scientifically inclined and those who appreciate a deeper understanding of orchids. I can’t begin to list all the great benefits to joining but it will be the best $40 a yr. you can spend. For $65 you get both the digital and the printed magazines and supplements mailed to your home. You can keep as a ref source or to read when WiFi is down ..or better donate to your local library or other such place for others to enjoy and become interested.

There is tons of free information on their website plus you will learn how to pronounce the names through pronounciation keys and sound files. Also see the Orchidist's Glossary. You can also view the Greenhouse Chats webinars for free but as a member have access to many specialty webinars.

You can search for numerous articles - for example, just type in calcium or magnesium and many articles will populate.

[Fairorchids]

There are still nurseries specializing in classic Cattleyas. The two that come to mind are Waldor Orchids in NJ (ask for Dave Off), and Chadwick & Sons in VA.

But, there are other options. Fred Clarke (Sunset Valley Orchids) recently released a remake of C. Dubiosa, using modern line bred parents. It is sold out now, but I managed to get 6 of them when he first released them.

[SouthPark]

And in Australia -------- probably out of luck.

ebay to begin with, followed by establishing some nice contacts from sellers associated with orchid societies and who have friends.

There really are vintage and classics etc hiding around over here - under the radar, but probably not as many as overseas (eg. in USA).

[terryros]

I think it becomes increasingly difficult to get virus-free old Cattleya cultivars. Since carefully made seedling crosses can/should be virus free, I have been attracted to Orchids Limiteds remake of old, classic primary Cattleya hybrids that haven’t been seen for a long time. These can be made with superior, often polyploid parents, producing some outstanding plants. Elite growers with financial resources are involved in trying to eliminate virus from these great old plants, but it is an expensive, difficult process.

[SouthPark]

terry ----- the virus situation is very interesting. Ultra interesting.

My approach is similar to many growers out there, where we just focus on maintaining good growing conditions and as much hygiene procedures as is practical.

I think that ----- if orchids are cared for appropriately, then they can keep going and keep growing ----- maybe indefinitely - and we can enjoy seeing their flowers, without symptoms seen in the flowers or leaves etc.

The other thing is ....... if orchids are allowed to get viruses into them, then there will be those that can tolerate and handle them ------ which could help the orchid family in some ways.