Cattleya trianae

[xiongmaopanda]

I was interested in trying to grow a Cattleya trianae. This is the national flower of Colombia. I am not Colombian but I have a very close friend who is.
I was wondering if anyone had opinions on the difficulties of growing Cattleyas and if anyone knew a possible place for me to purchase this plant?
Actually, I would be glad if anyone knew a good reliable place to buy orchids in the Fayetteville, North Carolina area. Or some where in North Carolina.
Thank you everyone~!

[patlee]

Carter and Holmes is in Newberry, SOUTH Carolina. They are very reputable and a pretty large grower so they might have the catt you are looking for. They do have an online catalogue so you can look at what they have. The question is whether or not they are too far from you...Good luck--perhaps someone else has a better suggestion

[jerrymeola]

C triane is not regularly available. It is extremely expensive for good color plants.

Last week at the Brevard County Orchid Society show I had a Blc Dinard's Blue 'Heaven' which looks almost the same. The first response was it could not be triane since that good a color C, triane would be over $1000. Fortunately for those of us who just like a beautiful orchid Dinard's Blue is reasonably priced.

[snowballsarebad]

Hmmm I had no idea that C trianae was so expensive! It is certainly lovely, and I had seen it before and thought it might be nice to have one. No way I'll pay that much for it, though!

[exasperatus2002]

I love that Blue heaven!

[jerrymeola]

The Dincard's Blue 'Heaven' was a big hit at the show so of course I had not sent enough of them for sale.

That plant had 6 perfectly spaced flowers across the plant in a 6 inch pot. The flowers wer over 5 inches each and the three in the photo were on a single stem. I guess I see too many exceptional orchids that when I see something like that I only think that is a nice plant.

You can never guess what people will want. But I had to promise my wife at less 12 more for the next show.

[Brooke]

xiongmaopanda you have great taste in cattleya!

Here are two links that offer many different variations of the trianaei.

Chadwicks offers 19 different ones ranging in price from $50 to $175. Chadwicks is one of the premier authorities on the cattleya species and their book is a great reference.

Cattleya Collection

This is Santa Barbara Orchid Estates that offers 11 different ones ranging in price from $50 to $150.

Cattleya at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

I've never purchased from either nursery but both have outstanding reputations.

Here is my C. trianaei blooming last year.



Good luck in your quest.

Brooke

[kmarch]

The plants Jerry is referring to are so expensive because they are high quality show plants, sort of like the triple crown racehorses of the orchid world. Those prices are not representative of most plants being sold. In addition to the excellent, reliable sources brooke has mentioned I suspect you could find smaller plants, perhaps seedlings or near blooming size at nurseries that specialize in species, perhaps Oak Hill or some place like that.

[xiongmaopanda]

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I love this forum. Everyone is so knowledgeable and kind.
I never realized that a show orchid of this kind could be so expensive. I should go to Colombia and take one from my friend's mother hehe

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by xiongmaopanda

I never realized that a show orchid of this kind could be so expensive.

Yup, just like show dogs or cats or racehorses, as soon as an orchid receives an award its value goes up. The higher the award (HCC, AM, FCC) the greater the increase in value. Case in point, a friend bought a Phrag besseae from a good breeder. As I recall he paid $75 for it. It flowered and was awarded an AM/AOS then he offered to sell it to me for $300 which actually seemed fairly reasonable for an awarded stud pl,ant for breeding. Sometimes people will pay gobs of money just for the pollen of an awarded plant.

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by xiongmaopanda

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I love this forum. Everyone is so knowledgeable and kind.
I never realized that a show orchid of this kind could be so expensive. I should go to Colombia and take one from my friend's mother hehe

I've seen a Cattleya hybrid going for $2500 once. Nearly fell over when I saw the price. It was a white one which alba's dont normally peak my interest that much which was part of the shock. But the colors were so intense & edges well defined. I can see why it cost so much. It was a good stud plant.

[Anton]

Gee you could have knocked me over with a feather, I have THREE C. trianae, ALL are from Grand Champion stock too !!!!!!!

I have been waiting 2 years for them to flower too, maybe NEXT year.......

[cerastes]

I purchased C. trianae from Ecuagenera Orchids for $ 20.00. I ordered it on line and picked it up from them at an orchid show in Connecticut. They frequently attend orchid shows in the USA. It is growing well but has not yet flowered.

[Dendian]

I purchased a C. trianae v. coerulea cross ('Sapuyes' x 'Carlos Keller')- made by Carlos Keller who would only sell the flask to the vendor I bought my seedling from - and I paid 25.00 for the seedling two years ago. This year it put up its first mature large growth.

I have also seen several trianae v. alba seedlings for sale on ebay - so I think they are readily available.

From what I have read - they are more tolerant of over-watering conditions than most Brazilian Catt species. I think the flowers are absolutely lovely. I like its growing habits too - seems a very compact grower and not rambling like a few other species I have.

I am hoping for a coerulea one with my cross - but the breeding is good so I would be very happy with anything.

[1joyceh]

Love those colors!
I can see why your wife would want to bring more jerry!