What size Cattleya

[ohanahana]

hey all~! i live in the gulf south and hope to grow cattleyas for cut flowers. do you think i'll have a better chance growing plants purchased
in 8" pots rather than 3.5"?

[ohanahana]

sorry all--i didn't realize my first question to this forum would post here! really sorry--

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by ohanahana

sorry all--i didn't realize my first question to this forum would post here! really sorry--

**Chuckles** Welcome to the orchid board!! My posts have a mind of their own sometimes, too!

[RosieC]

Ohanahana, I've moved this to it's own thread for you.

I'm afraid I've no experience with Cattleyas though so hopefully someone else will be able to answer.

I think theoretically a plant sold in a large pot should be larger but seeing your other thread I see you have not found this to be the case in the past, so I'm not sure.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by ohanahana

hey all~! i live in the gulf south and hope to grow cattleyas for cut flowers. do you think i'll have a better chance growing plants purchased
in 8" pots rather than 3.5"?

Yes. The larger the plant, the more blooms per potted plant.

Cattleyas bloom from new shoots that have matured only.

The older pseudobulbs don't bloom but rather provide the newer shoots with energy.

Good strong roots is also important. Without them you'll experience problems like skipping a year or delayed blooming, and disease.

I also recommend you be ready to invest in viral test strips. Viruses are a big problem when you're harvesting the blooms for vigor, shape, color, and cleanliness.

I recommend getting a lot and I also recommend reading up on how to grow orchids by seed and orchids through cloning.

This is serious business. It can be more than just a small business from what I understand.

[ohanahana]

all you guys--i thank you all so much for your help. i appreciate your encouragement. i'm not familiar with viral test strips, but i'll look into it asap. i know it's serious business and i'm told the best teacher for me will be experience--that's scary...!! i've been reading reading reading--but it's the feedback from my questions that i need--so thank you!

[ohanahana]

king of orchid growing--i ordered the test strips from agdia and sort of look forward to practicing this part of orchid growing!

i'm a little nervous about placing an order for the plants...but understand (from what i've read in this forum--thank you all) that companies are willing to receive back their plants if virus is detected.