Cattleya
Cattleya orchid
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 0.9m × 0.3m – 0.6m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 50 species of Cattleya together with an enormous number of hybrids, many of which have occurred naturally. Nearly all cattleya come from tropical parts of South America. They are generally epiphytic (meaning they grow on other plants), but some are Liphophytic, meaning they cling to rocks and boulders. Cattleya orchids are induced to interbreed with other genus, e.g. the genus Laelia, giving rise to Laeliocattleya orchids, these being called bigeneric hybrids. Cattleya orchids have flowers that are large in proportion to the size of the plant. The flowers are fragrant and in shades of white, yellow, pink, purple and brown to orange. The flowers generally have showy petals (technically sepals) at the rear. At the centre of the bloom is a prominent, sometimes extremely elaborate lip. The colour combination on the lip alone can be exotic in the extreme.
- Flower colour
- Pink, Purple, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Cone
- Height
- 0.3m – 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- genus houseplant light varies
- 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.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Winter · Planting
Divide when too large for pot
Orchids that are too large for their pots can be divided when dormant. Cut through the rhizome and root ball if necessary. Treat cuts with sulphur powder, repot the plant and stake it to ensure it is not going to move in its pot.
You can also remove offsets and bulbils etc. at this time, but be sure to leave some pseudo bulbs and put bulbs back in place. Research specialist literature on this if you wish to get the very best from your orchid.
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.
Summer-Autumn · Outdoors
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.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Position · Planting
Position requirements vary
Some plant varieties within this genus have differing requirements for light and room position. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance, and/or check the label.
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.