American Cattleyas: Species and Outstanding Clones That Define American Hybridizing

by Courtney T. Hackney

Professor of Biological Sciences

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

This picture-packed publication chronicles the development of all the major lines of cattleya orchid hybrids in the USA, and explores the contributions of important species to those hybrids. Based on extensive interviews of prominent hybridizers and commercial growers, scientific articles, orchid trade magazines, and by the author's 30+ years of experience growing orchids, this book explains the approach used by American hybridizers during the 20th Century. 

American Cattleyas is oriented toward all those with an interest in the "Queen of Orchids". Written by a professor of biology (and orchid fanatic), it is targeted toward the hobbyist in non-technical language, it contains chapters on species that form the basis of modern hybrids, hybridizing strategies, inheritance in cattleyas, culture, exhibiting and judging different hybrid lines, and a glimpse at the many nurseries and individuals that contributed to the rich history of cattleya growing in America. The book follows the development of the major hybrid lines in the Cattleya Alliance, from the foundation species to prominent clones in the background of today’s award winners. The story is pictorially illustrated in a 76 page, stand-alone, color gallery containing 362 photographs. Some of these photographs are over 50 years old while others show the modern culmination of generations of hybridization captured by the latest digital technology.  The book is 9" x 11.25".