Curious about Catttleya splash petals

[BillieG]

I have limited space, but one orchid on my list is a cattleya splash. I love the bright beautiful colors, they really catch my eye. On line and in books, that is. I haven't seen one in person. It is so hard to decide which one to order since I have to buy it online. No orchid nurseries around here. And I hate to wait, so I prefer to buy a blooming size or, better, one in spike, which makes it more expensive and a harder decision.

So I'm curious who has splash orchids and are there any that are more prolific than others, easier to grow with big gorgeous flowers. I bought a book "Bloom-Again Orchids" by "Judy White" and it has made me so impatient to find a splash.

[Ray]

Check out Carter & Holmes and Sunset Valley Orchids.

Even if they don't have them on their websites, a phone call might find exactly what you're after.

[Leafmite]

If you want one that is blooming size and for certain a splash petal, call the vendor and tell them you wish for one that is blooming size and explain what you want.

Look through Hausermann's site. I think I saw some there. Do call before buying as they sometimes don't mention that the orchid will be a few years from blooming.

[PaphMadMan]

Splash petal Catts are no different than non-splash Catts in range of sizes, base colors, breeding, vigor, conditions, etc. You can get splash and non-splash from the same pod of seedlings. It is a small genetic difference, like a human family where some may have a gap between the front teeth and some don't. The flowers tend to be somewhat cupped, not quite as flat and fully open as an otherwise genetically similar non-splash, from a structural difference that goes along with the splash.

There are hundreds of crosses and cultivars, so making a specific recommendation doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to find the same one for sale. The 3 sellers I would have recommended first have already been mentioned. Call or email them, tell them what you want, and go with their suggestion within your price range.

[Leafmite]

I didn't mention Exotic Orchids of Maui even though I think I read that, with some of the seedlings, they are hoping for splash petals for the very reason that PaphMadMan mentioned...they sell seedlings of crosses that are a few years from blooming and it is very uncertain what the results will be of each individual seedling. I love to buy a few for fun and as long as the orchids open and look cute (to me), I do not care too much but if there is something specific you wish, it is better to go with a bloomed seedling or a clone so you know exactly what you are getting.

[Fairorchids]

To be certain that you get a splash, you have to buy either a meristem, or a 'mother division' (big $).

While some of the smaller spash flowers can be a bit 'cuppy', most of the standard (full size) open fully.

While there are high minimums, also look at Carmela and H&R.

[Bohata]

I second Leafmite's suggestion regarding Hausermann. They have a number of splash petal mericlones. Not as expensive as some, and well-grown plants. I have bought from them myself, and was never disappointed. They are always blooming size when they are in a 6" pot. Some times 4" in the case of minis.

[pipsxlch]

SVO like Ray said has some splashes, and most of their stuff (not all) is mini. They sell blooming plants on eBay sometimes, so you can see what you're getting.