Quote:
Originally Posted by Vivienne  Cynthia - question, since you mentioned it, does the bifoliate/unifoliate habit indicate a difference in culture requirements? |
Most (Note: MOST) unifoliate cattleyas come from higher elevations and are thus more tolerant of cooler temps and temp fluctuations. Depending on the species, they might also need a pretty significant drying of in winter.
Most bifoliate species come from much lower elevations and are tough, light-loving plants that deal with huge environmental swings. Several of them (nobilior and walkeriana, specifically) demand a dry, bright winter and some (luteola and violacea, particularly) resent extended periods of cold and dark.
For the most part, they will all grow in roughly the same conditions, but it pays to research native habitat info for the plants. You could do quite well growing C. mossiae in temps from 45-75F all year, but C. violacea would hate you for that. C. violacea, despite a HUGE area of natural occurance, exists in very restricted elevation zones so it is a very warm growing plant favouring temperatures similar to standard Phalaenopsis.
In general, though, unifoliate species grow cooler and bifoliates warmer, though both groups will generally tolerate fluctuation one way or the other, as long as they aren't extreme.
-Cj