Cattleya Portia
Cattleya orchid
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.3m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
- Flowers
- Winter, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This has strong, cyclamen-coloured flowers with the central trumpet (labellum) coloured white with a mauve rim and central seam. The flowers are held on pink-brown stems. It is likely to be in flower during winter. The flowers are complemented by long oblong leaves. These need a coarse orchid compost. They should be put in an open situation with plenty of light though not direct sunshine. Feed and water whilst in growth and give it just a little water during its rest period.
- Flower colour
- Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 15C & above (RHS H1a)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Water regularly in growth & lightly in winter
This plant always needs some water, but the volume should be increased, and regularly applied while in growth. It should be lightly watered while resting in winter.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with orchid feed
Use a standard orchid feed regularly at every third watering during summer, applying it as directed on the packet.
For specialist feeding, you can buy a group of orchid feeds. Apply a high nitrogen feed in spring as the plant is coming into growth, a balanced feed during growth, and a high potash feed in autumn.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.
Compost · Planting
Orchid-epiphytic compost for repotting
Buy a standard orchid mix for orchids that are epiphytic in character i.e. they grow on other things, generally other plants.
If making one's own one recipe create a mix that is half fine bark chips, and a mix of fine gravel and perlite and charcoal for the other half. Opinions vary on 'recipes' and if your interest develops, you can research the views of specialist growers.