Hybrid vrs species cattleya

[Dub3]

I understand that species are the orchids found in nature and that hybrids are crosses. Between species and/or hybrids. My questions is what is the difference in culture if any between the two? Is one harder to grow then the other?

[silken]

That is correct although sometimes in nature two species can naturally hybridize also. Species sometimes have more specific culture requirements based on where they are growing in nature. Hybrids are often thought to be hardier and easier to grow. Quite often they have 'hybrid vigour' which just means they seem to get the best of both species and have more tolerance for different conditions than either parent. That being said, don't shy away from trying a species. I have a few of them and they seem to do fine. Just pick one that is suitable for your growing conditions.

[Leafmite]

I have a mix of species and hybrids and neither is easier/harder than the other. Research the ones that interest you and ask questions. Two good sources for information about species cattleyas are: Chadwick and Son's Orchids and Miranda's Orchids.

[Dub3]

Thanks for the info.

[naoki]

The sites which leafmite recommended is great. But Miranda's information seems to have disappeared when he updated his site. Does anyone know if Miranda's information pages still exist? Here is another site:
Cattleya Species Index - Cattleya Source

Some species could be a bit demanding (in terms of getting the right condition), but most of them are fairly easy. I don't know too much about Cattleya group, but there are quite a bit of culture differences among species (e.g. resting period, low-land vs high-land, light intensity etc). I'm having a tough time with C. eldorado now. I don't grow hybrids, but I'm sure some of them could be more difficult than others.

[NYCorchidman]

I only have hybrids. The main reason is that I just prefer flowers of many hybrids over species, many of which are too plain for me.

Regarding culture, species require very specific care depending on where they are from. Even within the same species, there are different groups, so you have to know exactly where they are from and then study the climate of where they are from.

Now with the hybrids, as one member mentioned, many have what people call 'hybrid vigor' and easier to grow. Then again, sometimes hybrids can be a pain taking up more characteristics of one parent over the other for example, and only through trial error, you can learn to properly care for them.

I buy cattleyas in bloom so I know I like what I see.
Then if they grow and bloom for me, I keep them.
If not, then well, they go somewhere else. lol

So far, I've only had one problematic hybrid that won't flower for me ever. I have tried quite a few and now I keep about 12 hybrids.

[WhiteRabbit]

Some Catt species are undemanding, others may be more so.

Some may be easy for those in a particular climate, hard for someone in a different climate.

So, just depends upon the species.

[Leafmite]

Sorry about the Miranda orchid site. I didn't realize that it no longer had all the information. Chadwick and Sons is still a nice source, though.
My orchid collection is mostly species but where cattleyas are concerned, I have quite a few hybrids (eight out of nineteen are hybrids). They are all seedlings in various sizes (except for C. gaskelliana) and grow as well as the hybrids.
The only one that causes me any concern is the C. dowiana aurea as it is rumored to be difficult. I have only had the dowiana for a year, now, and I honestly feel as though I am just waiting for the day it begins to stop thriving. I would never have ordered an orchid rumored to be difficult but it was sent by mistake and I became attached to it (I find tiny seedling orchids rather adorable.).