Catt-type Genus Id?

[Vivienne]

Hi everyone

Is it possible to narrow down a genus for this catt-type hyrbid based on the pbulbs and leaf growth? Each growth is a single leaf.

[prisana]

Hi Vivienne,

Probably not.. Is this your plant ? if it is what does the tag say ? I have several plants I wanted buy on line but they are NOIDS and it's next to impossible to identify the genus by looking at the leaves or pseudobulbs, even flowers, especially when you're only looking at the pictures. There are so many crosses and hybrids it's confusing what derived from where.

Maybe I'm not understanding you correctly Are you trying to find the cross of this catt?

[Vivienne]

prisana - I recently purchased it with no tag. Stupid me, but only $5.
Right now I'm calling it a Catt-type hybrid. It's my first catt so I know very little about them. My question is or what I meant is, is it possible to tell if it's a cattleya, laelia, broughtonia, etc sort of thing. You indicate that it's next to impossible and that's fine. Is calling it a Catt-type hybrid the best option? Guess there could be a whole new abbreviation... Cth. LOL

[prisana]

Vivienne,

Cth works for me I have a few catt alliance I still don't have names for I might have to wait for the flower, even then it might not be the right one. Even two flowers from 2 different plants of the same cross can look different I still don't know if I'll ever identify them correctly.

I'm not an expert in catts, but long and thin pseudobulbs that I have usually have Brassia traits in them..long slender leaves come from epi. (encyclia) or leilae but I'm not that possitive to go ahead and tell you that's the case for your plant. And that's still too broad.. Maybe some other geeks will know.. Good luck

[kmarch]

Vivienne,

$5 is a bargain to be sure! If it had a tag it would probably have been about $20 given the size of the plant.

There are general differences between the plant habits of closely related genera, for example Broughtonias are on the small side, Brassavolas tend to have pencil-shaped leaves. Unfortunately these distinguishing characteristics get...."averaged out".... in the midst of hybridizing. Some Blc. don't show any of the pencil-leaved plant habit. So there we have it folks, we're forced to wait until it blooms to get any further.

Having said that, I believe you're reasonably safe following the AOS culture sheet for Cattleyas.

[Vivienne]

It's all a learning experience for me. Orchids are just amazing. While I'm not fond of the NoIDs, I can't turn down bargains. Plus it's like an added bonus surprise when it blooms.

Thanks for all the insight!

[pikevi]

I think I am exactly like you in that respect, vivienne.

I really want to have 'species' orchids. But since many growers say it is getting harder and harder to get them now. Then I wanted to have only ID'ed orchids.

But when I see these Phals with beautiful flowers , I relent.

Somehow , other orchids with beautiful flowers don't weaken me, mainly because of the prices