How to find mini-catts to buy...

[Lady Tottington]

Originally Posted by Izzie

A micro-mini is miniminiminimini.

I have never seen one, I will have to get one of my own! Do you have one?

[Lady Tottington]

Originally Posted by Duane McDowell

I've been slow to adopt the new classifications in the Cattleya group - sorry about that!
Sunset Valley Orchids defines mini-cats as those that will stay under 6" tall and bloom in 3-4" pots. They define compact cats as those that will stay under 12" tall and bloom in 4" pots. Really the only way to know about a specific cross or plant is to read the description from the grower. When I'm trying a new type, I call the growers and talk with them, asking for specific recommendations.
When I bought divisions from Gold Country, they were nice big pieces (several bloomed growths and at least one new lead). They were blooming size plants. The specific ones I got are very miniature, so they are in 2 1/2" pots as mature plants. The plants I have bought from Sunset Valley Orchids have been 6-9 months from blooming for the most part. One of my favorite ways to buy from them is bloomed seedlings on Ebay. That way I know I'm getting a blooming size plant, and I know exactly what the blooms look like. I search for "SVO Select" on ebay to bring up the listings. They put up new ones every week.

OOOO! Thank you for the education, very cool to know! I can't imagine how cool it is to see a mature plant in a 2 1/2" pot! That seems opposite doesn't it, how funny! I will look for the SVO Select on ebay... what does that mean anyway? SVO Select? Does that for sure mean they will be minis? DOH!!!! I just searched and see that it means "Sunset Valley Orchids" doh! I'm so blond. LOL!

Thanks for all your answers, I really appreciate it!

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Lady Tottington

I have never seen one, I will have to get one of my own! Do you have one?

Here are some examples- all are hybrids available from Gold Country. As I understand, they stay under 12-8", generally flowering in 2-3" pots. Give or take. It's a pretty informal name, loose definition. What Duane is talking about, basically- adults in 2" pots.

Slc. Crown Jewel Slc. Crown Jewel - The Slipper Orchid Forum - The First Paph and Phrag Discussion Forum

Slc. Sacramento Ruby (Slc. Lorikeet x Slc. Bright Angel)

I think Catt. luteola, definitely L. alaorii might be considered micro-minis.

I have one that will be close. a Pot. Samantha Duncan 'Paradise' in my gallery. And I have a new cross from Gold Country that is on the small end of miniatures, but is not listed on their site yet. C. Little Dipper x Slc. Sierra Doll.

Sierra Doll from Gold Country is one of my favorites. http://www.goldcountryorchids.com/st...ary=&keywords=



Here's one (not from GC) that I hope stdale2003 doesn't mind me linking, a very sweet tiny one. Sc. Cherry Bee Lovely Sc. Cherry Bee

[Aceetobe]

Laelia liliputana is a micromini.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Aceetobe

Laelia liliputana is a micromini.

How could I forget that little lady! Thanks for sharing!

[Lady Tottington]

Originally Posted by Izzie

Here are some examples- all are hybrids available from Gold Country. As I understand, they stay under 12-8", generally flowering in 2-3" pots. Give or take. It's a pretty informal name, loose definition. What Duane is talking about, basically- adults in 2" pots.

Slc. Crown Jewel Slc. Crown Jewel - The Slipper Orchid Forum - The First Paph and Phrag Discussion Forum

Slc. Sacramento Ruby (Slc. Lorikeet x Slc. Bright Angel)

I think Catt. luteola, definitely L. alaorii might be considered micro-minis.

I have one that will be close. a Pot. Samantha Duncan 'Paradise' in my gallery. And I have a new cross from Gold Country that is on the small end of miniatures, but is not listed on their site yet. C. Little Dipper x Slc. Sierra Doll.

Sierra Doll from Gold Country is one of my favorites. Gold Country Orchids

Here's one (not from GC) that I hope stdale2003 doesn't mind me linking, a very sweet tiny one. Sc. Cherry Bee Lovely Sc. Cherry Bee

WOW! Lovely! Thanks for the photos! So, when you have a mini one, like the Sc. Cherry Bee for example, do those need to be watered more often because they are in a smaller pot (which to my brain thinks it would dry out more)?

They are just lovely!

[Lady Tottington]

Originally Posted by Aceetobe

Laelia liliputana is a micromini.

HOLY COW! NOW THAT IS MININININININI!!! So amazing! Thanks for posting!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Rupicolous Laelias!! Brats but lovely.

[gnathaniel]

Originally Posted by Aceetobe

Laelia liliputana is a micromini.

Wow Aceetobe, that's beautiful! Is it potted entirely in LECA, or is there something else underneath?

--Nat

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Lady Tottington

WOW! Lovely! Thanks for the photos! So, when you have a mini one, like the Sc. Cherry Bee for example, do those need to be watered more often because they are in a smaller pot (which to my brain thinks it would dry out more)?

They are just lovely!

Yes, you could say that. Like other catts- they dry out between waterings. But as you say- since they're in smaller pots, that tends to be more often. Use skewers!