American Cattleyas

By Courtney T. Hackney. 2004. Published by author. 362 color photographs. Hardcover. 151 pages.

What a fine book this is. With orchids increasingly entering the horticultural spotlight, more and more books about them appear, too many of them clearly produced simply as product and with no intent of enriching the literature or elucidating the interested public. Of course, I am biased. In my mind, cattleyas are the most beautiful of all orchids. Hackney and I share this prejudice. It is clear from the outset that the author is a teacher by profession, one who is used to presenting a beloved subject in a concise and understandable manner. Anyone who even thinks he or she may need to know a little more about cattleyas in general, and American cattleyas in particular, should put this volume at the top of his or her reading list.

The author spent years researching and assembling his book, with countless hours of personal interviews and lengthy correspondence including some of the best-known names in cattleyas, as well as not a few “unsung heroes.” B.O. Bracey, Leo Holguin, George Off, Masatoshi Miyamoto, Bill Carter, Ernest Hetherington, Frank Fordyce, Joe Grezaffi and so many more … they are all here. The author notes in his introductory remarks that it became clear to him early on that it was “now or never” if he hoped to document the contributions of many of the aging cadre of the greats of American cattleyas. This is sadly true, as the changing market has dictated that hybridization decrease if only because of the crowding-out of seedlings by meristems. Fewer opportunities for commercial-scale raising of seedlings, fewer hybridizers, fewer seedlings, less interest in seedlings — it is a vicious circle. Today, as the author notes, much of the interesting hybridization is carried on by smaller commercial concerns or hobbyists, who can afford the luxury of space for a crop that may not be 100 percent saleable.

Speaking of luxury, what a treat it is to have nearly one third of the pages of this book devoted to a pictorial chronicle of great American cattleyas, both past and present. As a repository of wonderful and rare illustrations alone, American Cattleyas would be well worth the price of admission. And unlike so many orchid books, the illustrations are presented in a sensible order, with accompanying commentary that sets them in their appropriate milieu. Along with these seldom-seen pictures are many seldom- (or never before) told stories, giving a personal touch to what must seem an almost legendary time of industry and product development. The strategies and insights of the most influential hybridizers, those who really discovered on their own how and what to do in breeding, are laid bare, often for the first (and probably only) time.

Nor is the author afraid to add his informed views on hybridizing trends and influences. While I did not always agree with his conclusions, they were presented in a manner that allowed me to understand how he reached his deductions and thereby respect them. In a world where too few understand hybridizing, this is a refreshing and valuable addition to his book. One of his most interesting discussions — “Duds or Studs” — centers on why certain clones attain their influence and others, seemingly of equivalent quality, do not. He cites the well-known Brassolaeliocattleya Oconee (Lc. Belle of Celle × Blc. Norman’s Bay) vs. Brassolaeliocattleya Mem. Ralph Placentia (Lc. Mem. Albert Heinecke × Blc. Norman’s Bay), of similar breeding and quality. Was Blc. Oconee more widely available? Was Blc. Oconee simply used in more hybrids? Were more seedlings grown? Did the seedlings grow better? Or was the overall quality of the hybrid seedlings just plain better? Such insights offer readers methods to improve the quality of their collections by sensible shopping, and the quality of their orchid experience by deeper knowledge.

This book is a throwback to a time when orchid growers truly wanted to know their subject and to help others to understand their knowledge. So, how do I really feel about American Cattleyas? Here is a labor of love. Buy this book. — Ned Nash.