Need advice on adding Cattleya's to my collection

[denvervet]

I would like to buy some Cattleya's to add to my collection as I have very good conditions for them here where I live. Can someone recommend a mail order company that I can buy them from? I am not sure who is reputable and who is not. I would not order until this Spring when the weather changes. Also, can someone recommend some Cattleya's that do well and have lovely blooms? Do any bloom more than once a year? Thank you for your advice, I appreciate it.
I have had good luck with orchids for the past 3 years and its time to try something new.

[POLKA]

Howdy
Here are some for starters. I'm sure that I'm leaving out some, but here goes.

These folks deal with cattleyas, mostly --

Orchids By Hausermann, Chicago -- a lot of standards
Carter and Holmes, South Carolina -- their own crosses --
EOOM (Exotic Orchids of/on Maui) --
Carmela -- Hawaii --
Kawamoto -- Hawaii --
Odoms Orchids -- east coast --
Sunset Valley orchids -- Calif -- their own crosses

There are others..........

This is enough to get you in trouble <heh, heh>
<grin>

Take care
Happy growing

BTW -- I'll need to clear some of my space of extras -- starting in March.

Rex
aka POLKA

[tucker85]

I like most of the online vendors that Polka gave you. I would recommend that you order blooming size or mature size cattleyas. Don't buy non-blooming size or seedlings. Some of those can take two years to bloom and I've had some take four years to get to blooming size. Blooming size plants are more expensive but worth it. A few cattleyas bloom more than once a year, especially some of the small ones, but most of them bloom once a year. Many cattleyas get very large so if you're growing indoors you may want to go with a mini-cattleya. If you have a greenhouse or plan to grow outdoors some of the year, you may want to consider the larger cattleyas. Good luck.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I agree with tucker85 . . . To a point. For your first Catt or two, get a plant in bloom, or blooming size. Some vendors sell plants in bud or bloom, including some already mentioned. If you order a plant in bud online, pay for overnight or 2-day delivery (or you may get a plant that was formerly in bud). Better yet, see if you can find an orchid show near you and buy from a vendor at the show.

But, there is a lot of reward in that 2 or 3 year journey from seedling to blooming plant. Carter & Holmes is a personal favorite for healthy seedlings of excellent clones and crosses.

[euplusia]

I live far away, but I'll share my thoughts anyway.
You ask for a mail order company. Any established company like Carter&Holmes, Chadwick, Hausermann, Owens should deliver high quality plants.
Cattleya lovers often specialize, some prefer selected clones of species. Others collect large flowered colourful hybrids or want plants with a sweet fragrance.
I prefer to buy a plant when flowering . Then I am sure I like it. It is best to visit an exhibition and sales show. You are a member of the Denver orchid society. I am sure that other members will be pleased to take you to a show. Orchidists are helpful.
Moreover divisions of Catts that do well are often distributed within our society. And many crosses flower two or three times a year, for example Mini Purple or intermedia x lawrenceana. When starting to grow orchids I visited other group members and asked them to explain to me how they grow their plants and why. So I have learned a lot about growing spaces and greenhouses.
Mexican Laelias and Brazilian Purpuratas are more temperature tolerant.

[Paul]

Why be in a rush to order a plant? Considering the weather, I would not advise it. Instead, I would suggest that you make plans to attend the Denver Orchid Show in March. It is hosted by the Denver Orchid Society. A link for you:
Denver Orchid Society - Shows

By going to the show, you will be able to pick out and inspect the orchids that interest you. I did not take the time to look for a list, but you should be able to find a list of all the vendors who will be attending that show somewhere on the society's show website. If they don't have one (and again it is highly unlikely for them not to) contact the society and inquire.

Once you know which vendors will be there, then you can go to each vendor's website and see what they have to offer. You can email or call them with any questions you have about the plant(s) which interest you. If something appeals to you, you can then ask them to bring it with them to the show. IME, vendors are typically more than willing to do this and it spares you from wasting money on shipping and handling. If the plant they bring seems substandard, you can decline to purchase it.

[MattWoelfsen]

Have you considered Rupicolous Laelia or Sophronitis orchids? These come from Brazil. They are smaller Cattleya.

[Leafmite]

I agree with euplusia that if you can buy the cattleya in bloom, able to see (and smell) what you are getting, it is best, especially if you like fragrant cattleyas. I at least like to see a sample or picture of what I am getting. Sometimes, if it is a seedling cross and not a clone, you can be surprised. I just bought a gaskelliana and it was quite different from the sibling the vendor showed but, thankfully, I just loved it. Good luck!

---------- Post added at 06:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:16 PM ----------

Orchid shows are indeed a great way to find orchids in bloom and see what you are getting. I highly recommend waiting and attending the orchid show.

[Optimist]

Right now, near Valentines Day, I have seen a real step up here in my town to get good near blooming orchids in. Even in the grocery stores that have a floral department you can often find an odd non-phalenopsis orchid.