Cattaleya species - opinions please

[SouthPark]

I'm currently growing aclandiae, bicolor, purpurata, dowiana (aurea), maxima, tenebrosa (rainforest), and violacea (muse).

If I had to 'hypothetically' choose just one, then it would be tenebrosa (rainforest). On the other hand, if no restrictions are placed, then I would love to just grow them all - all the species, and also all the hybrids!

I forgot to mention the reason for tenebrosa (rainforest). It has brown/tan colour tepals, with purple/violet lip --- exotic jungle look/features. Aclandiae has jungle appearance as well - with nice spots, which I like very much too. All in all, they're all fantastic. A hypothetical exercise only heheh.

[frasyoke]

Cattleya aclandie or Cattleya iricolor (that smells the best " the neighbor flower")

Oh yes they smell wonderful and intoxicating.

[raybark]

C. purpurata v. carnea

[Brutal_Dreamer]

C. purpurata v. carnea

Just WOW.

cheers,
BD

[LuHa]

Very beautiful!

[SouthPark]

C. purpurata v. carnea

Is that 'hypothetically' the species you would grow if you were to pick only one Ray? Very nice pic!

[raybark]

That was my plant, but is now in the loving hands of another grower. Downsizing from ~750 to ~12 plants was traumatic.

[Weetamoo]

That was my plant, but is now in the loving hands of another grower. Downsizing from ~750 to ~12 plants was traumatic.

Ray, I'm curious...what 12 plants did you keep?

[raybark]

Warczatoria Heaven's Bank (I made the cross, so I had to keep one), Pescatorea Sandra's First, Phragmipedium Sorcerer's Apprentice, a few paphs and phals. Since then I have added about a dozen more, paphs, phrags and a couple of phals.