Cattleya bowringiana
Bowring's Cattleya, Guarianther bowringiana
Also known as Cattleya skinneri var. bowringiana
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 0.6m
- 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
The flowers arise on a short upright reddish stem with the individual blooms held elegantly on side branches. The are coloured a strong magenta pink shade, with red tints. It is likely to be in flower in winter. The orchid has rather rigid-looking short, strappy 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
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- 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
- A light position not 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 indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.
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.