Five cattleyas that made me say WOW

[jerrymeola]

I have had about 350 different species of orchids in bloom this year and about half were cattleyas. Out of all that these five are the ones that got to me.


this first one just bloomed this week and will certainly be a winner. It came in a mixed assortment and is not listed for sale on anyones price lists. But I will find them if they are available. The flowers are 5 inches on a fairly young plant so certainly can be grown into specimen plants.



Spice Girl is a three inch flower that is tulip shapen. I have had about 20 and a couple of them had light green septals rather than white.





Marlene Lunquist is a newer hybrid that is easily the best orange I have ever seen. It is a 5 inch flower with such a soft color






This cross has always been my favorite even though it is probably the ugliest plant I own and difficult to grow. The plants always look like they are about to die, but what fabulous flowers. Unfortuanately the grower does not have plants that he can suppply regular. I only could buy 5 this year.

[RolRod]

Those are magnificent specimens! I'm more biased towards 1, 2, & 4 (not the biggest fan of orange). I was on the Carter and Holmes site earlier and I went back to look, since the name "Pizzaz" stood out, but i didn't see the specific cross you mention here. I'll keep an eye out though and let you know if I see anything! FYI I do a lot of web surfing since work is so slow lately...hence all my research on orchids.

[Maba]

'Pizzaz' is my favorite too. And then the beautiful orange. Do they smell nice?

They are stunners! Do any of them bloom more than once a year?