Giants of the Cattleya World: The Labiate Cattleyas

摘要

HOW LARGE IS large in a cattleya hybrid? If we consider hybrids only from Cattleya, Laeliocattleya, Rhyncatlaelia or Rhyncholaeliocattleya, we can set some parameters for size. The average Cattleya has flowers 5-6 inches (12.5-15 cm) across. Flowers 7-8 inches (17.5-20 cm) across are rare but still not uncommon. Any flower 8-9 inches (20-22.5 cm) across is considered quite exceptional. Flowers with a natural spread up to 10 inches (25 cm) or perhaps 11 inches (27.5 cm) are not unknown.