Looking for super rare cattleya

[terryros]

First, the clonal name of the percivaliana coerulea you are talking about is ‘Ondine’, which is the rare form. If there are only a few of these in collections around the world, it is very possible that these few owners do not want to clone it but keep it as a valuable collectors item.

Second, the HBI listing is for ‘Undine’ x self. Maybe this is a typo, but maybe it really is ‘Undine’ instead of the desired ‘Ondine’.

Third, if it is ‘Ondine’, it is a selfing, which means it was crossed with itself. The resulting offspring will have variability and it could be substantial. None of these plants can be labeled ‘Ondine’. Many could be worse than the parent, some could be equal to the parent, and a few could even be better than the parent. You are gambling. For $50 you are getting 10 plants that are 1 inch tall. You are probably talking about at least 4 years until you would see a bloom, depending on the vigor of the plants and how good your growing conditions are.

Like art for serious collectors, rare and very fine Cattleyas are only purchased from growers with careful provenance so that you are certain you are getting the plant you want. You also expect a plant that is in outstanding condition from excellent growing conditions. It won’t be virused, buggy, or root rotted. All of these things add up to the high purchase price.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by terryros

The resulting offspring will have variability and it could be substantial. None of these plants can be labeled ‘Ondine’.

Totally agree. It's disappointing that there are many plants out there - not just this sort of plant, but lots of others - which are sold with a particular tag name, but the plant is not a clone - but is rather a same-grex substitute that should never be sold with a misleading label.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by terryros

First, the clonal name of the percivaliana coerulea you are talking about is ‘Ondine’, which is the rare form. If there are only a few of these in collections around the world, it is very possible that these few owners do not want to clone it but keep it as a valuable collectors item.

Second, the HBI listing is for ‘Undine’ x self. Maybe this is a typo, but maybe it really is ‘Undine’ instead of the desired ‘Ondine’.

Third, if it is ‘Ondine’, it is a selfing, which means it was crossed with itself. The resulting offspring will have variability and it could be substantial. None of these plants can be labeled ‘Ondine’. Many could be worse than the parent, some could be equal to the parent, and a few could even be better than the parent. You are gambling. For $50 you are getting 10 plants that are 1 inch tall. You are probably talking about at least 4 years until you would see a bloom, depending on the vigor of the plants and how good your growing conditions are.

Like art for serious collectors, rare and very fine Cattleyas are only purchased from growers with careful provenance so that you are certain you are getting the plant you want. You also expect a plant that is in outstanding condition from excellent growing conditions. It won’t be virused, buggy, or root rotted. All of these things add up to the high purchase price.

Undine vs. Ondine is a moot point. Its the same plant with a name language barrier. Unless you're will to pony up thousands of dollars, this is your best bet for getting a plant that is close to the real thing.

[emmajs243]

isurus! My thoughts exactly....In comparison to the only other price option found so far....$50 for a flask with "both parents" being the one searched for....I would chance it. Better then paying hundreds to thousands on eBay and maybe receiving a healthy plant and maybe not needless to say, waiting for it to finally bloom and maybe having it be the real thing and maybe not....plus, most breeders do things for a reason and want a good result....who knows, maybe the "selfing" will produce a higher quality, more pronounced colored flower!

[isurus79]

I’d pitch in for a piece of the flask if I lived nearby!

[SouthPark]

I do agree that if the OP wants 'ondine', and only 'ondine', then the only way to get it is either by division or from mericlone.

Otherwise, I also agree that - if the OP would like to take a punt at something that might look a bit like 'ondine' (similar but not exactly the same) or even better than it, then could try some luck on selfing flasks - maybe at the expense of time to grow to flowering size.

[emmajs243]

Oh but what an exciting flower unveiling that would!

[redcoats36]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

I do agree that if the OP wants 'ondine', and only 'ondine', then the only way to get it is either by division or from mericlone.

Otherwise, I also agree that - if the OP would like to take a punt at something that might look a bit like 'ondine' (similar but not exactly the same) or even better than it, then could try some luck on selfing flasks - maybe at the expense of time to grow to flowering size.

I emailed Mick!! This definitely looks like my best shot, and i'm willing to wait I've already spent a couple years looking for it - what's 4 more!? Thank you ALL for helping me find this one. It always surprises me how difficult some types are to find.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by redcoats36

I emailed Mick!! This definitely looks like my best shot, and i'm willing to wait I've already spent a couple years looking for it - what's 4 more!? Thank you ALL for helping me find this one. It always surprises me how difficult some types are to find.

Let me know if you end up selling any seedlings. I’ll buy em from you!

[redcoats36]

I absolutely will Steve!