Description
Cattleya aurantiaca is one of the more compact and smaller-flowering of Cattleya species. It hails from Mexico where it has been found at elevations of 300 m – 1600 m and grows easily in cultivation. It is known for its pumpkin-colored flowersi; ‘aurantiaca’ means orange in Latin. The flowers of this species are among the smallest flowers in the Cattleya family, but the deep orange color of the blooms is used by breeders as part of breeding programs to enhance colors. While bigger flowers are usually more desirable, there is certainly demand for miniaturization of Cattleyas, and as a species of smaller stature, its genes are very valuable if compact, floriferous plants are the goal. Genetics of flower breeding is somewhat predictable, but sometimes you gotta take a chance, as there is still plenty of room for unexpected surprises to come through.
