Looking for GIANT Cattleya!

[InspirChid1712]

Hey Everybody...

I currently have 3 Catts which I think may get large (Lc. Drumbeat 'Heritage', Blc. Chia Lin 'Shinsu#1', and Lc. Bryan Wheeler 'Grandson'). What I am looking for is a hybrid that has huge leaves, flowers, growth habit... the whole deal! I love the giant Cattleyas that I've seen displayed at shows, but it seems that most plants sold are mini-Catts, or bred to be of a smaller size. Does anybody have any suggestions as to a plant that will turn into a giant? Or will my dreams come true with the plants that I already have?

Thanks guys!!!

[Miki]

Try Noman's Bay 'Hercules', Horace 'Maxima', Helen Brown 'Showpiece' and 'Sweet Afton'. Grown well, they are huge.

[silken]

Try Blc. Orglade's Grand" Yu Chang Beauty" Here is a link to look at one:

Cattleya orchid: Blc. Orglade's Grand" Yu Chang Beauty" Sales, Buy Cattleya orchid: Blc. Orglade's Grand" Yu Chang Beauty" Products from alibaba.com

[Anisa]

Wondering how big do the biggest Cattleya hybrids get?

[orchidman77]

I believe they can get upwards of 3 feet? Especially the bifoliates with C. guttata influence...

David

[Miki]

As pointed out earlier, hybrids (or the species itself) with C. guttata can grow to be quite tall. The flowers themselves are not very large, however. Bc Mount Hood 'Mary' AM/AOS has about the largest sized flower you'll likely find. Well bloomed, it's almost 10" across. There are some other species that have flowers around that size too.

[cday2inflorida]

Lc. Melecio Huerta "Senor Perfecto" - massive plant even at a young age

[Bayard]

Try Blc. Triumphal Coronation 'Seto' - now that's a monstah!

[tucker85]

I've had Lc. Drumbeat 'Heritage' for many years. It's a specimen plant with 10 to 15 flowers every year. It's 15" tall which is a medium size cattleya I'ld say. Some of my bigger catts would be;
Blc. Kuwale Gem 'Shin Shin' - A semi-alba 18" leaves with very large flowers.
Lc. Orglades Grand 'Yow Chang Beauty' - Another large semi-alba not quite as big as Shin Shin.
Blc. Pink Empress 'Lake view' - Another tall plant with huge pink flowers.
You can look through Odom's Orchids website they have some large catts and they usually state that they're big plants.

[bullsie]

Many of the older or 'Classic' Cattleyas tended to be large plants. When you decide to do any purchasing, call the vendor. They will be happy to show/tell you of their biggies for sale. As you have observed, most are going to compact/mini Catts. The biggies just take up too much room and the space one takes up a person can have three or four of the little dudes.

Congrats on appreciating fabulous big Cattleya!