Cattleya alaorii
This charming species is one of the more rare examples of the ultra-miniature Cattleya group referred to as "hadrolaelias". This petite species was first collected growing epiphytically in the coastal state of Bahia, Brazil. The foliage of the plants is small, approximately standing only four inches tall! The flowers open to form a distinctive cupped shape with the 'front' about one inch in diameter, and are a soft crystalline pink with a slightly darker pink lip. A delightful addition to a miniature collection, or as a companion plant to outdoor orchids! Previously classified as a Laelia.

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Temperature Tolerant. September-October blooming. Species from Brazil.
Orchid of the Day: September 6, 2024

Cattleya bicolor - green form
Eye-catching green-form parents were selected to produce these seedlings! Petals of the strong, green color, some clear-green and some with olive overtones, frame the bold pink lip of this Brazilian species. The long-lasting blooms have the signature, waxy, robust texture of their species. Some of the flowers even carry a sweet fragrance!

One of Brazil's extraordinarily resilient bifoilate Cattleyas, this species develops especially tall foliage that stands nearly three feet tall on some large specimens! Light loving and free-blooming!

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape.

Temperature Tolerant. September-October blooming. Species from Brazil.
Orchid of the Day: August 18, 2022

Cattleya cinnabarina
Vibrant plumes of intense red-orange color are the highlight feature of this colorful Brazilian species. It is a rupiculous growing (rocky crevice-dwelling) orchid that is especially prized as a breeding-stock plant for its exquisite color.

The vibrant flowers have a boldly pointed star-shape, with flute-like lips, all blooming elegantly along a slender stem (up to 20 inches tall) high above the diminutive foliage (up to 6 inches tall). This compact growing plant thrives best outdoors with the Cymbidiums, and also does well indoors in the bright light conditions preferred by Cattleyas.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be very similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape.

Temperature Tolerant. March blooming. Species from Brazil.
Orchid of the Day: February 15, 2022

Cattleya Coastal Phenom
This handsome hybrid displays many of its' parents' best features, including rich colors, spicy fragrance, and temperature tolerance! From the cross between two fragrant and speckled species from the coastline of Brazil: the amber-green Cattleya schofieldiana, and Cattleya tigrina 'Gypsy King', a named variety with exceptional dark color and high flower-count.

These primary-hybrid seedlings sport flowers with a bright pink lip and have a range of handsome brown hues between olive, copper, fawn, and cocoa; petals will have a pattern of burgundy speckles and perhaps a rosy blush. The fragrance is strongly spicy with a sweet background.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each is unique and no two seedlings are identical in precise color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each seedling will favor.
Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. July blooming.
Orchid of the Day: June 26, 2021

Cattleya Dinah Liddell
These showy seedlings are from the cross between two eye-catching parents: Cattleya Mareeba Tiger and Cattleya schilleriana. The flower is an amber-green strongly overlaid by a rosy blush tint and a pattern of dark burgundy spots, and the showy lip is hot pink and bright white. Most should have some fragrance, as both parents are fragrant.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be very similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in precise color or shape.

Temperature Tolerant. May-June blooming.
Orchid of the Day: May 3, 2022

Cattleya Giselle Margarita
Orange hues with bronze, yellow, and pink accent markings make these seedlings look almost like blooming fireworks! From the cross between two outstanding Brazilian species. Cattleya sanguiloba contributes brilliant hues and fine petals, and Cattleya tenebrosa imparts larger size, smoky bronze hues, and its' signature pink lip color. The flower pictured above is just one possible combination of these many potential features!

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. August - October blooming.
Orchid of the Day: August 16, 2022

Cattleya Grande Dame
The colors of this excellent hybrid range between fuchsia hues and smoky-pinks, topping it all off with high-contrast, showy lip patterns. This resilient, outdoor Cattleya is well suited by its lofty name, often producing two to three large blooms on its first flower spike!

From the cross between Cattleya purpurata and Cattleya Pacavia, making this plant 3/4 Cattleya purpurata, giving the flowers more intense color, and 1/4 Cattleya tenebrosa which increases the size and showiness of the lip.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. June - July blooming.
Orchid of the Day: June 8, 2022

Cattleya Hausermanns Firewings 'York'
A very showy, compact growing, splash-petaled blossom. The large and boldly colorful lip is displayed between the eye-catching splash-petal pattern of pink with a bright white stripe! Both parents, Cattleya Irene Finney and Cattleya Interglossa, and this plant grow well outdoors here in Santa Barbara, in our sheltered growing area which reaches freezing temperatures most Winters.
Established divisions from our mother-plant.

Temperature Tolerant. March - April blooming.
Orchid of the Day: February 3, 2021

Cattleya Heathii
From the primary cross between Cattleya loddigesii and Cattleya walkeriana. The flower looks very much like the former, but takes after the later in its more compact growth habit and slightly larger, rounder flowers. The flower color is a lavender-pink. Originally crossed in 1907. . Temperature Tolerant. June - July blooming.
Orchid of the Day: May 20, 2016

Cattleya labiata fma. coerulea
These seedlings are that rare 'coerulea' blue** color-form of this beautiful Brazilian species. The shapely flowers have a delicate off-white hue of lavender-blue tint and a contrasting lip of amethyst-purple with yellow at the throat. Delicate Fragrance. We grow and bloom this species outdoors, but it also does well in brightly lit indoor conditions.

**Orchids of coerulea color-form are often called "blue", which confuses many orchid admirers, since most actually look purple, not blue. "Coerulea" orchids lack the genes responsible for red flower color, and their 'cooler' overall coloration makes them distinct. This genetic trait is even more rare than orchid albinism and typically produces blooms with some combination of white, purple, and green.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in precise color or shape.

Temperature Tolerant. September-October blooming. Species from Brazil.
Orchid of the Day: September 6, 2021

Cattleya Lemon Trifle
We have been very happy with the results of this miniature cross between Cattleya endsfelzii and Cattleya Little Sunset. The flowers bloom in hues of yellows, oranges and pinks, some with contrasting tints. These elegant, star-shaped flowers are displayed nicely in clusters aloft on slender stems. Growth habit is compact, like its rupiculous (growing in rocky fissures) parent Cattleya endsfelzii, with bulbs and leaves only 6 inches tall.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. December - January blooming.
Orchid of the Day: December 6, 2023

Cattleya loddigesii
One of the most beautiful of the bifoliate Cattleyas! Since it grows happily as an epiphyte (tree grower) and lithophyte (rock grower) in its native habit it can be grown either potted in stones and bark, or mounted to a tree or bark slab.

Established blooming-size division form our mother-plant.

Temperature Tolerant. September blooming.
Orchid of the Day: August 30, 2024

Cattleya Magnetic Mystery
These showy seedlings are from the cross between two colorful and spotted parents: Cattleyas Motte Spot and tigrina. The flower color ranges between amber and smoky-mauve overlaid by spots or speckles of burgundy, all with a showy lip of hot pink or magenta. Some have bloomed with fragrance, a quality inherited from the C. tigrina parent. Shown in the picture above are siblings that express the lovely color range possible in this cross.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in precise color or shape. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. August blooming.
Orchid of the Day: July 25, 2021

Cattleya Mareeba Tiger
This beautifully fragrant primary hybrid is one of our late-Spring favorites. Its' flowers have rich rosy-brown hues and are patterned with burgundy spots, but the focal point is it's nearly neon fuchsia-pink lip!

From the cross between two outstanding Brazilian species, Cattleya tigrina and Cattleya schilleriana. For those of you who like to stay current with orchid nomenclature: this hybrid, Mareeba Tiger, used to be called Resplendens, but that is now officially considered a synonym.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; these siblings may be very similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in precise color or shape.

Temperature Tolerant. July blooming.
Orchid of the Day: June 26, 2024

Cattleya Mindful Gem
We have been very happy with the results from this cross between Cattleya Little Sunset and Cattleya Psyche. The flowers of this hybrid have an exciting range of colors, some are pink hues, some orange hues, or some red hues. Since there is no way of knowing what color each plant will bloom until they have flowered, enjoy the surprise!
These have a great flower-count (up to 4 flowers per spike), and nicely compact foliage and growth-habit. These have always been in an unheated glasshouse so they should thrive outdoors in Cymbidium conditions, and yet these should also grow well alongside indoors varieties.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings these may have some similarities, yet each seedling is unique and no two are identical in exact color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. November - December blooming.
Orchid of the Day: November 11, 2021

Cattleya Mosaic Mischief
Peppy, patterned, and colorful flowers are the signature of these seedlings: from the cross between two colorful and spotted parents, Cattleya Gaudii and Cattleya Motte Spot. The flowers range from blush to pink and are covered over by spots of burgundy or berry hues. The showy particolored lip sports bright pink and white.

Bright light is essential to these light-loving blossoms for peak color expression, so be sure to grow and flower these in bright conditions. Flowers may open with pale coloration at first, but color up rapidly over a few days after opening.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. August blooming.
Orchid of the Day: August 9, 2022

Cattleya pumila - Select Seedlings
An miniature species phenom and an Autumn-blooming favorite! These lavender-pink flowers really stand out on their miniature plants; and the seedlings offered here are from a cross between parents selected for their outstanding color and shape ('SanBar Love' x 'Plump Plum' AM/AOS)! Typically the foliage is less than six inches tall, a fantastic and compact orchid: great charm as a small blooming plant and can grow into a spectacular specimen! Great Cymbidium companion either potted, mounted, or in a hanging wooden basket.

Established blooming-size seedlings. Seedlings are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be very similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in exact color or shape.

Temperature Tolerant. September-October blooming. Species from Brazil.
Orchid of the Day: September 8, 2024

Cattleya Quinquecolor
A cross between two compact growing Brazilian bifoliates: Cattleya forbesii and Cattleya aclandiae. Both of these species have a habit of producing multiple flowering-leads a year. All of these that have bloomed thus far share an amber-green base color with dark burgundy dots, and a white lip with yellow and magenta markings. The plant stands about ten inches tall. . Temperature Tolerant. May-June blooming.
Orchid of the Day: May 21, 2017

Cattleya Roy G Biv
These colorful flowers live up to their prismatic name, and bloom in a myriad of colors! The perky blossoms are broad and have vibrant magenta lips. From the cross between Cattleya granulosa, a beautiful amber-green Brazilian bifoliate species, with Cattleya Latona, a large fiery-colored Brazilian primary hybrid. The flower colors range between salmon hues of pinks and oranges, to buttery yellows. Also, the blooms have the distinctive minty, spiced-citrus fragrance of its C granulosa parent.

Established blooming-size seedlings. Seedlings are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may have some similarities, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in exact color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. August blooming.
Orchid of the Day: July 30, 2021

Cattleya Siren Song
We are always excited to watch seedlings of the species Cattleya schilleriana bloom. Colors are intensified, fragrance passed down, and hardiness enhanced. Such is the case with this cross using the large dark hybrid, Cattleya Okarche 'Dark Thunder', as the other parent. The flowers of these seedlings have bright and saturated magenta hues, and lips with a bright patch of yellow. Flower size has been in the five inch range and the fragrance is lovely and sweet.

Established blooming-size seedlings. Seedlings are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may have some similarities, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in exact color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. August - September blooming.
Orchid of the Day: August 21, 2021

Cattleya Tangerine Lollipop
A great miniature hybrid for late Spring that blooms saturated orange hues atop upright stems. The colorful flowers are like slender stars in shape, some are rounded and some are pointed, and the fluted lips can be yellow, striped, or pink! The compact foliage of these seedlings only reaches about eight inches tall. From the cross between Cattleya Cinnabrosa and Cattleya mileri.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings these may be similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. May-June blooming.
Orchid of the Day: March 12, 2024

Cattleya tigrina
A stunning Cattleya species from the Rio Grande De Sul province of Brazil. The dark brown flowers are speckled with burgundy flecks, and the lip is a brilliant hot-pink. The flowers bloom in large clusters and have a potent spicy-sweet fragrance. A very resilient plant outdoors, it is a favorite of ours in Cattleya breeding. . Temperature Tolerant. Summer blooming. Species from Brazil.
Orchid of the Day: June 17, 2006

Cattlianthe Blazing Treat 'Fireball'
It's no wonder this hybrid stands out when its lineage is so strongly punctuated by the brightly colorful rupiculous (rocky crag-growing) Brazilian orchids. The vibrant orange flowers of this variety have a red tint and bloom about ten or more flowers per cluster! The flower stem reaches about ten inches above the foliage. From the cross between two colorful Cattlianthes, Rojo and Trick or Treat.

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Temperature Tolerant. April blooming.
Orchid of the Day: March 2, 2022

Cattlianthe Melon Star
This delightful hybrid has bloomed in a variety of orange hues: from rich golden colors to deep salmon pinks and oranges, some with matching lips, others contrasting in bold reds. From the cross between Cattleya George Hauserman and Cattlianthe Trick or Treat. The saturated orange colors and free-flowering quality come from Cattlianthe Trick or Treat, while the larger flower size, full shape, and lip markings come from Cattleya George Hauserman.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings these may have some similarities, yet each seedling is unique and no two are identical in exact color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. March - April blooming.
Orchid of the Day: February 1, 2023

Cirrhopetalum Elizabeth Ann 'Buckleberry', FCC/AOS
This primary hybrid between Cirrhopetalum longissimum and Cirrhopetalum rothschildianum was given the highest award, an FCC, by the American Orchid Society; it's an amazing flower! The main body of the flower has dusky-red stripes over a pale peach base color, and the lip is a vibrant, rosy-pink. It does well in the greenhouse, as you might expect, yet it also grows well outdoors. . Temperature Tolerant. November - December blooming.
Orchid of the Day: October 25, 2020

Cleisostoma simondii
This South East Asian epiphyte is as appreciated for its rigid, succulent-like leaves and abundant, white aerial roots as it is for its unique flowers. Each half inch flower is green with red stripes and a prominent, sculptural lip of soft pink and amber yellow. The flowers bloom in pendant clusters, and while the peak bloom season is in the Autumn this plant can send out flowers any time of year. We grow this plant in a slatted basket so the leaves and roots can artistically cascade and tumble down . Temperature Tolerant. October-November blooming.
Orchid of the Day: October 14, 2014

Cochleanthes discolor
This charming miniature botanical emits a unique fragrance similar to a mixture of cedar-wood and black pepper. The buttery yellow flowers have a large, burgundy-purple lip with a white margin. While the peak bloom season is typically Spring, larger plants will bloom flowers sporadically throughout the year. A splendid miniature addition to the indoor orchid collection!

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Intermediate growing. April blooming. Species from Central America.
Orchid of the Day: April 13, 2023

Cymbidium erythrostylum
Among the most beautiful Cymbidium species, these bright white flowers have a striking lip with red veins and yellow suffusion. One of its most distinctive features is the downward curve of the true petals which shapes its signature bonnet-like appearance. Often this is one of the first species to bloom each year. Charming miniature species.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be very similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape.

Cool growing. October-November blooming. Species from Vietnam.
Orchid of the Day: September 14, 2022

Cymbidium Gladio
It is hard to re-capture the charm of the rare and beautiful Cymbidium elegans. This hybrid, pairing elegans with the lowianum hybrid, Esmeralda, has succeeded in doing so, producing tall arching sprays of closely spaced yellow-green flowers with the characteristic lowianum red barred lip. The additional quality of an early blooming habit has made this hybrid one our favorites. Cross made by Lloyd DeGarmo. . Cool growing. November - December blooming.
Orchid of the Day: October 17, 2011

Cymbidium Grand Monarch 'Exquisitum', AM/RHS
This historic cultivar was awarded November 24, 1931, when it was shown by the cross's originators, McBeans of Sussex, England. Grand Monarch results from crossing of Cymbidiums hookerianum and Wiganianum (eburneum x tracyanum). A true favorite around here for its beauty, fragrance, early flowering season, compact growth, and willingness to bloom. Its hybrid vigor makes it a good substitute for its heat-intolerant parent hookerianum, although we still do grow it under shadecloth, where it gets cool ocean breezes, rather than under glass. The plants offered are established, near-blooming-size divisions from our mother plant. . Cool growing. December blooming.
Orchid of the Day: November 7, 2010

Cymbidium Kumamoto 'Golden Yellow'
An early and remarkably free-blooming Cymbidium. Each arching inflorescence of this variety blooms flowers of tawny-yellow with lips boldly marked with red spots and edges From the crossing of Sicily by Rincon made by local orchid hobbyist Matsuo Yanagihara. Cross registered in 1968.

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Cool growing. November - December blooming.
Orchid of the Day: October 24, 2021

Cymbidium Sumatra 'Stunner'
A classic Californian Cymbidium with tall, arching inflorescences and plentiful flowers. The flower color is a rich and distinctive purple-burgundy and nicely complemented by the cream lip with its burgundy edge.

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Temperature Tolerant. April - May blooming.
Orchid of the Day: April 1, 2023

Cymbidium T-Rex Red
Red hues with a bold stripe-like pattern pattern showing through to a cream background, and showy contrasting lips make these seedlings very eye-catching. So far red hues range between brick, burgundy, and rust, with lips sporting bright red markings over bright white to cream yellow. These seedlings are the tall-stemmed, 'standard' type Cymbidium sized, and ready to add some bright color to the Winter garden.

From the cross between Cym. Baltic Berry and Cym. Tracy's Firefall. One quarter Cym. Red Beauty 'Nettie' contributes broad petals and bold lip pattern, and one quarter Cym. tracyanum provides stripe-like pattern and that wild species Cymbidium shape!

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings these may be similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two are identical in exact color or shape.

Temperature Tolerant. December - January blooming.
Orchid of the Day: December 18, 2024

Cymbidium Valya Craig 'Sutherland', AM/AOS
A very unique color contrast of medium yellow sepals and petals with a suffuse rose-red lip. This cross of Balkis 'Luath' X Cariga 'Sorrento' was made in 1954 by Tal and Valya Craig of Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia during the Golden Age of cymbidium breeding. The Craigs exported cut "cymbids" of this grex and many others to the US during the offseason of Northern Hemisphere cymbidiums. 'Sutherland' still graces the SBOE cut-flower and pot-plant growing areas. For more information about this grex, please read the article by Paul Gripp in "The Orchid Advocate", Volume II, Number 2, March/April 1976. Cool growing. March - April blooming.
Orchid of the Day: January 12, 2017

Cymbidium Wiganianum
Our remake of this vivacious primary-hybrid between two of the most fragrant Cymbidiums: C. eburneum and C. tracyanum. The seedlings offered here have shown to bloom in hues of peachy yellow with fine patterns of red stripes and speckles, and produce a light and sweetly fresh scent.

Established first-bloom seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings these may be quite similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape.

Temperature Tolerant. February - March blooming.
Orchid of the Day: December 24, 2024

Cyrtorchis arcuata
The petals of these bright-white, star-like flowers curve back dramatically towards the long, pale green nectar spur. As many as six of these robust flowers can bloom along their gently arching stem, looking like a sprig of shooting-stars!
Sweet fragrance and the long nectar spur suggest moth pollinators, so the scent is likely strongest at dusk and perhaps throughout the night. The foliage has a monopodial (fan-like) growth habit that is compact and sturdy; this and it's strong, twining roots make for a particularly exciting plant for hanging pots and baskets.

These established plants are self-propagation** seedlings of plant from R. Northen. The blooms resemble their origin flower with minimal variation.

** "Selfing" propagation is done by pollinating a flower with its' own pollen. The resulting seedlings are technically unique, and may vary slightly in precise color, size, or markings, yet generally posses a strong resemblance to the self-pollinated flower.

Temperature Tolerant. July blooming. Species from most of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Orchid of the Day: July 13, 2021