CATTLEYA Orchid - The Basics

[Dave]

Caring for Cattle ya Orchids

Basics:

Cattleyas are often referred to as "The King of the Orchids". They are best known for being the corsage orchid. Cattleyas are an excellent choice for the novice. Due to their relative ease of culture and adaptability, Cattleyas are among the most popular orchid genus grown. The exotic fragrance flowers are available in a wide range of spectacular colors, sizes, shapes, and textures.

It is a genus of approximately 53 species of orchids from Mexico to tropical South America. The species was named in 1824 by John Lindley after William Cattley, who received and successfully cultivated specimens of Cattleya labiata that were used as packing material in a shipment of other orchids.

They are widely known for their large, showy flowers, and were used extensively in hybridization for the cut-flower trade until quite recently. This genus and the numerous hybrids come close, through their beauty, to the idealized picture we have of the orchids. The flowers of the hybrids can vary in size from 5 cm to 15 cm or more. They occur in all colors except true blue and black.



LIGHTING
Sufficient lighting is a must for successful cultivation. Cattleyas prefer more sunlight than other species such as Phals. However they should never be placed into direct sunlight. Either an east or a lightly shaded south-facing window is best.



TEMPERATURE
Cattleyas adapt to a wide range of temperatures. Provide nighttime temperatures 55 tp 60 F and daytime temperatures 70 to 90 F. Plants may be able to tolerate temperatures of up to 100 F, but only if shading, humidity and air circulation are increased as well.



WATERING
Depending upon the temperature, Cattleyas should be watered about once or twice a week. During the summer, the plants may need to be watered every 4-5 days. The rule of thumb for watering should be as followed : More heat more water, less heat less water.
Cattleyas like to dry out between waterings. Try to water the plants early in the day, so that the foliage will be dry by nightfall. To prevent bacterial and fungal disease use Physan 20 once a month. (Physan 20 is a chemical based fungicide algaecide which can be purchased at a specialty garden store).



HUMIDITY
Cattleyas prefer 40-60% humidity. Most growers use humidity trays or pebbles on saucer to increase humidity.



FERTILIZER
Cattleyas must be fertilized on a regular basis! For best results, use a diluted solution (1/4 strength) of fertilizer at every water.



POTTING
Cattleyas mostly grow in a medium or orchid Bark however other mediums such as sphagnum moss work great for me.. The bark mix should be moderately coarse to allow for free drainage. Cattleyas should be re-potted once every two years. Ideally, Cattleyas should be re-potted in the spring.

[roxane]

Hi Dave,
I"m new at this and would like to know what kind of fertilizers is best for orchids?? Miracle Grow?
Thanks
Roxane

[David]

Hi Roxane, welcome to the forum.
Orchids are light feeders, in the wild they do not receive many nutrients where most of them grow high up in the in trees of rainforest's. Orchids will however benefit from added fertilizers. As a beginner it is best to keep it simple and stick with one brand of ufertilizer...at least for the whole of one season.

You may use miracle grow although there are better fertilizers made especially for orchids. If you use miracle grow you want a diluted solution of 1/4 strength. So if the miracle grow bottle says 1 T per gallon, use 1 T for 4 gallons which would be 1/4 strength.

Check out Kellys Orchids they have a really great selection of fertilizers. I like the Dyan grow fertilizers myself because they are liquid and easy to measure.