| Welcome to the forum. Please come back and keep asking questions while you learn.
Ellen's answer is typical of those of use who have owned orchids, it is difficult to wait for them to bloom. As a dealer I find that there are many people who would prefer to watch the plants grow and feel they are willing to invest the small amount of money on a smaller plant rather than a flowering one. The choice is personal and I will not say either is a better approach.
You might have difficulty finding a seeding Phal. Phals go from seed to flower in about 2 years so a seeding is usually only one season away from flowering. Because of this they are usually sold in flower and cheaply.
Cattleyas can take 5-7 years to flower from seed. I want to point out that a seedling cat about 3-4 inches high is probably 3-4 years old already.
A true one inch pot size seedling is 2-3 years from blooming but a 2 1/2 inch pot usually blooms in 12-20 months. There are several species that will bloom in 2 inch pots and as young as 3-4 years old.
You did not list where you are in your profile. I am in SW Florida and grow everything outdoors. Ellen assumed you were growing indoors. The choice of plants varies on where you intend to grow them.
Phals are only indoor plants or total shade outdoors. They will get enough light indoors to flower (but they need a 20 degree day to night temperature drop to set buds).
Cattleyas will grow fine indoors but not flower unless you give them adequate light to develop flower buds. Indoors that usually means pretty close to a sunny window or supplemental lighting. Many people up north who have to have them indoors in the winter put them outside for the summer, then bring them back in to enjoy the flowers when the buds have set.
If you buy Cattleyas to grow indoors look for miniature to semi miniatures that grow to under 8 inches high. They usually flower younger and with less light and take up a lot less room in a home. Space for large mature plants quickly becomes a problem.
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jerry  |