LC. Powhatan '148'

[smweaver]

Those are really beautiful blooms. Will you tell us how long they lasted once they fade, please?

Steve

[Whimgrinder]

Originally Posted by pipsxlch

I saw the one on Chadwick's site (not in a position atm to get a $100 plant, maybe if it sticks around) but the question was more rhetorical. There are LOTS of wonderful older crosses that would probably do well on the marketplace today (thinking things like Keowee, my Languedoc is always a hit when people see it) but that can pretty much only be found as divisions or clearouts from older collections.

Cattleya growers are an anachronism - there are very few "serious" growers left, and fewer still care about the classics. For the most part, there's no market for standard sized Cattleyas now, so getting these older clones means waiting till someone makes a division available. Very few of them ever get mericloned. I'm just grateful that ANY of these older standard plants are still to be found, at any price.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by Whimgrinder

Cattleya growers are an anachronism - there are very few "serious" growers left, and fewer still care about the classics. For the most part, there's no market for standard sized Cattleyas now, so getting these older clones means waiting till someone makes a division available. Very few of them ever get mericloned. I'm just grateful that ANY of these older standard plants are still to be found, at any price.

That's interesting. In the cactus and succulent world, people are less interested in cactus all the time. Almost nobody grows the columnars, even in suitable climates. People who need to heat growing spaces would prefer a very large number of small plants to fewer larger, more spectacular plants. Most of these columnars can be bloomed at less than 6 feet / 2 meters tall, in a 1 gallon / 3.78 liter pot, but people don't want something even that big. And many are extremely beautiful even without flowers.

When I get better at growing orchids here in Phoenix I want to get old classic Cattleyas. For now I'm learning on hybrid seedlings and smaller mericlones.

[pipsxlch]

Originally Posted by Whimgrinder

Cattleya growers are an anachronism - there are very few "serious" growers left, and fewer still care about the classics. For the most part, there's no market for standard sized Cattleyas now, so getting these older clones means waiting till someone makes a division available. Very few of them ever get mericloned. I'm just grateful that ANY of these older standard plants are still to be found, at any price.

Yes, is seems that most of what I see advertised is compact/mini Catts- they can be beautiful, but nothing beats s big standard full-bore fragrant floof sometimes. With my climate, plants with much was-Sophronitis just aren't good doers. The standards all seem to love it. I got the Languedoc at an older hobbyist's divisions gotta go sale; it's a biggie but wow when it blooms.

I've paid $100 (and more) for a great plant and will again, it's just I have to move soon so now isn't a good time for a $10 plant.

I'm grateful for the vintage plants that do pop up occasionally.

[Whimgrinder]

Originally Posted by pipsxlch

Yes, is seems that most of what I see advertised is compact/mini Catts- they can be beautiful, but nothing beats s big standard full-bore fragrant floof sometimes. With my climate, plants with much was-Sophronitis just aren't good doers. The standards all seem to love it. I got the Languedoc at an older hobbyist's divisions gotta go sale; it's a biggie but wow when it blooms.

I've paid $100 (and more) for a great plant and will again, it's just I have to move soon so now isn't a good time for a $10 plant.

I'm grateful for the vintage plants that do pop up occasionally.

The modern "windowsill Catts" don't interest me at all. And I hesitate to state that I have paid close to $1K for VERY rare, antique Cattleyas, but most of my plants have been acquired for under $100, thank goodness.
There are plenty of superb old heirloom clones to be had, if you know who to ask, and if you have the funds.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by Whimgrinder

...I hesitate to state that I have paid close to $1K for VERY rare, antique Cattleyas,...

I understand, both concepts. If I were a better grower I would step up, too. Somebody has to preserve the best of the best.

[No-Pro-mwa]

That is stunning. I have to say I too love the big fluff. I started wanting the big ones and did get one. Then I started getting the smaller ones for space reasons. Now I am back to wanting to get more big ones again. So strange how one changes all the time.

[Whimgrinder]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Those are really beautiful blooms. Will you tell us how long they lasted once they fade, please?

Steve

Two weeks and still going strong, so far!

[Whimgrinder]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Those are really beautiful blooms. Will you tell us how long they lasted once they fade, please?

Steve

Steve,
At the three week mark, these two blooms are starting to fade. Pretty decent for a first gen dowiana hybrid, wouldn't you say?