beginner cattleyas

[diego_p]

Can someone recomend a good beginner cattleya orchid? I want to expand my collection a bit past dendrobiums and phalaenopsis, but ive never had a cattleya before. I understand some get BIG and others (if not all) are just harder to maintain and care for.

[Brownthumb10]

I got a compact NoID catt from Lowes a little over a year ago. It has been a very easy plant for me, and I struggle with phals.

[Fairorchids]

There are so many compact and mini Cattleyas to choose from. If you are willing to spend a little extra, but get something good, take a look at Gold Country Orchids & Sunset Valley Orchids.

If you can find an Orchid Show in your area, there will be vendors selling an assortment of plants - very likely incl Cattleyas.

Another option, look at Kawamoto on Ebay. But read descriptions carefully, many of their Cattleyas are full size.

[MattWoelfsen]

I agree with Fairorchids' advise. Kawamoto Orchids on eBay is a good source of many Cattleya. I recently bought a 'compact' Cattleya from them--it was two for the price of one AND free shipping. Their descriptions will indicate whether or not a Cattleya is 'compact' or a 'minature'. I have not bought any plants from Gold Country or Sunset Valley Orchids but I know these are reliable vendors.

[tucker85]

Here's a few small cattleyas that I've had luck with.
Rlc. Lisa Taylor Gallis 'Nora' (Marble Branch Farms and Clown Alley Orchids both have it)
Lc. Crystelle Smith 'Gold Throat' or 'Aileen' (Waldor Orchids, Carter and Holmes, and others)
Lc. Gold Digger
Ctna. Why Not

Look for orchids that are recommended for windowsill growing and that are described as easy to grow or reliable bloomers.

[RandomGemini]

If you're interested in trying a species, rather than looking for a hybrid, I'd recommend Cattleya Walkeriana and any of it's variations. I have the semi-alba and it seems pretty easy so far. I water it when it gets dry, it grows new stuff. Supposed to be really easy to bloom and a great species for someone new to cattleyas, and it's also quite small. Mine is less than six inches tall.

[Fairorchids]

You should also take a look at New Earth Orchids. Ron Midgett has bred mini Catts for years, and has received a bunch of awards for his breeding.

[Optimist]

My LC. Liptonii X SLC. Circle of life is my most compact. All my BLCs will be huge in ten years. Some are also 2-3 lead plants,and that will become exponential as they get bigger. I think some vendors will specify "windowsill" size or "compact" in their descriptions.

[diego_p]

Thanks guys. Fairorchid randomgemini, I like kawamoto, i already saw a walkeriana that ill get soon.
Whatt bout the rhyncolaelia digbyana? There was asite somewhere that said its a compact grower as well. That flower looks really trippy.

---------- Post added at 04:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------

Or the cattleya mossiae. On orchids.com it says its a compact plant with a big flower. But would it be a good beginner plant.

[Hiester]

I just placed a first order with these folks, so I cannot yet comment on the quality of their product (maybe someone else can?), but they do have several miniature and compact Cattleyas available. I added one compact Cattleya in my order...

Marble Branch Farms

They have detailed descriptions for each plant and suggest plants for differing growing conditions.