NOID catt [?].to buy or not to buy? $12 @ bkln botanic garden

[stefpix]

I posted this on the Cattleya forum but I wonder if this forum is more appropriate.

I am tempted to buy this - originally from the botanic garden annex. was 25 $ now half of that. No tag, no info.

is it a Cattleya? is it possible to pinpoint somehow what it could possibly be - not exactly but somehow a ballpark idea...
should I buy it or not?
the orchids on sale at the botanic garden have no tags!
but there are great supplies for a good price...
and if someone is into bonsai there is a lot of tree seedling/cuttings to start with!

thanks stefano
stefpix.com

[kiki-do]

It does look like a Cattleyea of some type. The leaves are pretty wrinkled and not sure about the spots on the last picture. Can't really tell what that is. I would investigate further and check the roots if possible. You don't want to invest in a sickly plant, no matter what the cost. But if you deem it healthy, the price is certainly tempting enough.
I have to say, I have one mounted cattleyea noid that I purchased on a whim, and it turned out to be a beautiful and fragrant bloomer.

[stefpix]

I think the spots are water marks... I am not sure if I inspect the roots. I asked if they could mark down the mark down but they won't... maybe 12 bucks is too much for such a crap shot.
I bought for $5 a Lc Angel Love [I think as the tag was faded in part - could just read "angel love] that was in really bad condition and i am trying to revive in water culture in a vase. I can see some root "eyes" and new growth eyes. I can experiment for $5 but 12 +tax is a bit steep!
I am pretty sure no one else would buy that one looking at the customers at the BBG garden center!
thanks
stefano

[chidlove]

I would,and isolate it from your others for awhile. it looks like a big Lalia I bought years ago. it had gorgeous fragrant mauve flowers. [I didnt know then, how to treat Catt types so it perished

[stefpix]

thanks
I hve not bought it yet ...
was wondering if i it is worh buying it...12.5 + tx

stefano

[seamonkey]

I personally wouldn't buy it since it doesn't look especially healthy.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you can't see the roots crawling out, there's usually damage. Especially when the leaves are wrinkled like that. That's due to dehydration, and that's a very good sign it wasn't taken care of very well and may have damaged roots.

It's not terrible, but it's still a gamble. Although the odds are not that bad in favor of success.

[soundtweakers]

there's a place in Chinatown where you can buy orchid in this condition for 5 bucks, but they usually carry just phals and onc. hybrids.

[stefpix]

yeah got a couple of things there...
thanks.
I am more interested in Catt and Dens

[soundtweakers]

IKEA near Red Hook has a lot of Phals and Paphs, and sometimes oncs and dens...but I've never seen any catts anywhere around town. My catt was an ebay purchase...still got a couple of years of growing before any blooms is possible.