Looking for super rare cattleya

[redcoats36]

I saw a pic of the c. percivaliana coerulea “ondine” and I just absolutely fell in love with its color combination. For some reason it seems impossible to find in the US. I’ve been watching eBay for months but no luck. I saw on Orchid Board someone bought it from a grower that seems to have gone out of business it’s on orchidweb for $2000!?!!? That seems kind of crazy and I’m not that crazy! Does anyone know of any growers who might have this, even if international? It’s so frustratingly elusive.

[Orchid Whisperer]

There will be a lot of paperwork associated with importing from an international dealer. The exporter and importer will both need import-export licenses.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by redcoats36

I saw a pic of the c. percivaliana coerulea “ondine” and I just absolutely fell in love with its color combination. For some reason it seems impossible to find in the US.

Did you try posting a message on the AOS facebook page? It's possible that somebody there could help you out.

Also check this.

I think they're mentioning isurus or 'isurus79' ... who is a forum member here.

[Dollythehun]

You can just pm him.

[estación seca]

Have you grown C. percivaliana before? It's not difficult, but you might want to be sure you can grow a less expensive one first.

[isurus79]

I don’t have ‘Ondine!’ I know Palm has it. He’s in Mexico City though. Mick Fournier might use it in his breeding program.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I don’t have ‘Ondine!’ I know Palm has it. He’s in Mexico City though. Mick Fournier might use it in his breeding program.

Yep, Mick has a selfing in flask. He calls it "Undine" though: HBI, Producer of Fine Orchids in Flask

[SouthPark]

Is this particular plant actually super rare? It certainly seems like it is - especially when there's that 2000 dollar price tag from one online site appearing.

Some mericloning would be nice!!!!!!

[emmajs243]

Here....I was looking at flasks today.....this might be a typo in the name? Flask available May of this year.

HBI, Producer of Fine Orchids in Flask

[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.