Cattleya question--Stima. Kelly 'Lea'

[SShide77]

How do I care for this orchid?? I was overtaken by its beauty at the nursery and had to have it as it was on a clearance rack for who knows why, it looks in relatively good condition. It is potted in medium, what looks like charcoal of sorts and is about 5" tall. How big does this variety get? What kind of light does it need? I dont have a real bright windowsill for it, should I consider artificial lighting?

Also, one unrelated question, what does a new spike grow on a dendrobium appear as? Similar to that of a phalaenopsis?

thanks!
Sarah from Boston

[SShide77]

How do I care for this orchid?? I was overtaken by its beauty at the nursery and had to have it as it was on a clearance rack for who knows why, it looks in relatively good condition. It is potted in medium, what looks like charcoal of sorts and is about 5" tall. How big does this variety get? What kind of light does it need? I dont have a real bright windowsill for it, should I consider artificial lighting?

Also, one unrelated question, what does a new spike grow on a dendrobium appear as? Similar to that of a phalaenopsis?

thanks!
Sarah from Boston

[fred]

first of all to understand Cattleya orchids you will need the Culture Information
please see the link here from the AOS you can down load the culture sheet to your PC
AOS | Culture Sheets

as for your second question that depends on what type of Dendrobium you have

[fred]

Sarah
your questions will get answered asap by one of our awesome members there really is no need for double posting the same questions.

I have provided a link to the AOS culture of your Cattleya in this thread
as you are not to sure that in fact you have a Cattleya does the plant have a Name tag
http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...kelly-lea.html

[SShide77]

I believe the dendrobium is a phalaenopsis type.

The Cattelya hybrid...has a tag which says Stima. Kelly 'Lea' (B. Nodossa x Ctna.)

[jerrymeola]

Kelly Lea is one of my favorites. It is in the Cattleya group of orchids. It is capable of flowering all year round and blooming many times. It does very well in baskets as well as pots.

It is flowering size and does not get much taller. It may need more light than you have in the window. Cattleya need 3500 foot candles of light to flower and most homes do not get over about 1500. You will need supplemental light or put it outside during the summer. It can flower 2-3 times in a Maine summer. It will handle temperatures down to 40 at night.

Most common Dendrobiums flower from a spike at the top of the plant not the bottom like a Phal. Any growth at the bottom is a new cane. Dendrobiums also need about 3000 foot candles to flower and you may need to put it outside soon. Maine summer sun is about 9000 foot candles so you will need afternoon shade for these plants outside

[jerrymeola]

You only need to post a request once. Either this forum or the orchid care forum was OK

I answered your questions in the other thread.

Cattleya question--Stima. Kelly 'Lea'

[fred]

thanks for that
here is a useful reply to your other thread
Cattleya question--Stima. Kelly 'Lea'

please don't for get to ask all the questions you feel the need to ask as we are all here to help you with knowledge.


EDIT] thank you Jerry