Cattleya Orchid Care
- Light. These orchids need bright indirect light for optimal growth. ...
- Soil. Cattleya orchids will thrive in a commercial growing mix made specifically for orchids. ...
- Water. These orchids require a moderate amount of moisture. ...
- Temperature and Humidity. ...
- Fertilizer. ...
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Sep 02, 2008 · Cattleya Orchid Care Light. These orchids need bright indirect light for optimal growth. When grown as a houseplant, an east- or west-facing... Soil. Cattleya orchids will thrive in a commercial growing mix made specifically for orchids. This usually includes fir... Water. These orchids require a ...
How to care for Catasetum orchids?
Jan 17, 2020 · Today's video is sponsored by rePotme! 💗They provided some of the pots, clips, stakes and the fertilizer I used for the Orchids in this video. Check them ou...
How do we grow Cattleyas?
How to Care for a Cattleya Orchid Light. In their jungle home, sunlight is abundant but also filtered through the growth above and around them. Temperature. The ideal temperature range for these plants is between 70 and 80°F during the day, with a drop to …
What do cattleya orchids smell like?
Feb 13, 2022 · How do you care for Cattleya Orchids? Cattleya Orchids Care Guide. This variety of orchids produces new pseudobulbs once a year. This new shoot is necessary... Light Needs. Cattleyas need a good amount of light every day to grow healthy and to produce beautiful flowers. The good... Potting Soil. The ...
How do you care for a Cattleya orchid indoors?
Cattleyas store water in their thick leaves and pseudobulbs, making them more tolerant of dry soil than wet. Humidity: Moderate to high, preferably 50-70% relative humidity. Raise the humidity if it drops below 50%. Use a humidity tray or room humidifier to increase the moisture in the air.
Does Cattleya need full sun?
Light – Like most flowering plants, cattleyas want bright light in order to grow and flower well. They will take fairly high light levels early and late in the day, but should be protected from direct midday sunlight.Feb 20, 2012
How do you keep cattleya orchids alive?
To grow well and to flower consistently, cattleyas require a good amount of light, preferably in the range from 2,000 to 3,000 foot-candles (about 65-70% shade), although they will tolerate a great deal more light if it is accompanied by sufficient humidity and air movement to keep the leaf-temperature down.
How much sun do cattleya orchids need?
PartialHow to Grow Cattleya OrchidsBotanical NameCattleyaPlant TypePerennialMature Size0.25–2 ft. tall and wideSun ExposurePartialSoil TypeSoilless media, well-drained6 more rows•Jul 26, 2021
How often should I water my Cattleya?
once a weekCattleyas prefer to dry out between waterings, and should not be watered more than once a week. If the orchid's potting medium still seems damp, wait another day. Water more regularly when the orchid flowers or is about to flower. A clay pot will help pull water away from the roots and prevent fungus.
What is the best fertilizer for cattleya orchids?
Cattleyas Do Best with an Orchid Specific Fertilizer That is, give them a standard 10-10-10 fertilizer at half strength or a 20-20-20- fertilizer at quarter strength once a week. When your orchid rests after the growing season, the feeding should be reduced to once every two weeks until the next growing season.
When should I repot my Cattleya?
As a general rule, repot sympodial orchids every two years after flowering and when new growth appears spring through fall. Do not be tempted to put the plant in a larger pot to circumvent this.
How long does it take for Cattleya to bloom?
Don't think in terms of six months, but a shorter period. If your Cattleya blooms all the time, keep up the light, fertilizer, and watering to a normal schedule, never cutting down.
What is the best medium for Cattleya?
Cattleya orchid plants grow well in soilless media, such as bark and rocks or perlite, which mimics this natural growth habit.Jun 1, 2021
How do you know when a Cattleya will bloom?
A Cattleya will not bloom on old pseudobulbs yet those pseudobulbs will provide strength for the plant. In the seasonal bloom cycle of a Cattleya we are looking for the emergence and growth of new pseudobulbs, bloom sheaths to appear from the top of the pseudobulb, and blooms to appear from the sheath.
Why is my Cattleya not blooming?
If Cattleyas don't re-bloom, it's generally a light level issue. They are not a low light plant and need to be grown in a south, southeast or southwest window. Too much sunlight can burn the leaves, but make sure your leaves look yellow.
How do you plant Cattleya in pots?
0:533:56Repotting Cattleya Orchid - Proper position in the pot - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo yeah this is an example how you should not report an orchid no matter how big the pot you willMoreSo yeah this is an example how you should not report an orchid no matter how big the pot you will provide if the direction of growth is towards the size the orchid will start to grow out of the pot.
How to transplant a Cattleya orchid?
How do you transplant a Cattleya orchid? If you have a bigger cattleya and want to divide it, select three or four pseudobulbs on the rhizome and divide only after those. Any rhizome with only two pseudobulbs will not have enough energy to provide sufficient growth and will probably end up dying after being divided.#N#Wait until the orchid has finished blooming and all the flowers have fallen off. For most cattleyas, this means in the late spring. Once the flowers fall, the dormant cycle begins and Cattleyas will not need much energy to promote growth.
Where does the Cattleya orchid come from?
The original Cattleya (to where the name derived) came from Pernambuco, Brazil. It can also be found in Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Guyana, and Bolivia. With the spread of information and basic cattleya orchid care, this orchid can find its way into your living room as well, no matter where you live.
How much humidity does a cattleya need?
Cattleyas live in a humid environment, ranging from 40 to 70% humidity. In the average American household, humidity is around 30%. If you use a humidifier, but can be comfortable still up to 55%. Above that percentage, there is a risk of growing mold on the drywall and acquiring a respiratory infection.
Can you repot a cattleya in a plastic pot?
In two years when it’s time to repot the Cattleya, you can definitely switch to a clay pot. To repot the Cattleya, if it is in a clay pot, more than likely you’ll need to break the pot.
Why don't my cattleyas bloom?
One of the biggest reasons Cattleyas don’t bloom on their yearly schedule is because of insufficient light. Cattleyas are part of the “bright light” group, by receiving their sun in the early morning or the later part of the day.
What temperature do cattleyas like?
At night, Cattleyas love a drastic drop in degrees, ranging from 50-53.6 °F (10-12 °C). A few can endure a mid- 40ºF, but none can tolerate frost. Image Credit: "Maxima" by Shaun@KL is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. The temperature drop will stimulate flower buds.
How to tell if orchid is getting enough light?
To know if the light condition is just right, the leaves will be a pale green. If they are dark, deep green, almost a darker spinach-colored green, then the orchid isn’t getting enough light. If it’s receiving too much light, the leaves will turn a yellowish -green, and black spots will occur.
What temperature do cattleyas need?
Temperature Requirements. The temperature requirements for Cattleyas are daytime temperatures somewhere between 70°F to 80°F (21.1°C to 26.6°C) and night temperatures between 55°F to 60°F (12. 8°C to 15.6°C). Cattleyas will do best when there is a 15°F to 20°F (8.3°C to 11.1°C) difference between day and night temperatures.
How long do cattleyas bloom?
Cattleyas are epiphytes (air dwellers) and each flower stalk grows from a pseudobulb which they use for water storage. Their large roots are covered with a spongy velamen which retains nutrients and water. Cattleyas generally bloom once a year and the blooms last for anywhere from one to three weeks.
How to tell if orchid is getting enough light?
A way to determine if your orchid is getting enough light will be if the leaves are a medium green color and the pseudobulbs are upright. If your orchid is receiving too much light the leaves will have a reddish-purple coloring.
Can a cattleya orchid grow in a humid environment?
Cattleyas thrive in humid conditions, however, if a Cattleya orchid is kept in excess moist conditions then disease and rot can set in which will cause damage to the plant. If you need to increase the humidity for your orchid, you have several different options such as a greenhouse, humidity tray, or humidifier.
How to keep orchids moist?
During hot, dry weather or sunny afternoons, gently mist the plant to help keep it moist. If the pseudobulbs are starting to wrinkle, it’s a sign that your orchid needs more water. You can also consider placing your orchid in a humid bathroom or kitchen if there is enough light.
How to protect orchids from direct sunlight?
If it’s near a window that gets a lot of direct sun, shield your orchid with a sheer curtain. Depending on where you live, it will be necessary to move the orchid into more sunlight during the winter months when days are shorter and increase shade in the summer. Balance is essential.
What is the Queen of Orchids?
Cattleya, the “Queen of Orchids,” is a popular variety for both novice and experienced growers. She has a lovely fragrance, expansive blooms, and striking colors. Fortunately for the beginner, Cattleya orchids are also forgiving plants to grow in the home. They tolerate a wide range of conditions and their pseudobulbs make it easy to tell ...
How often do cattleyas bloom?
Close-up: Cattleyas have beautiful blooms. Some individual species will flower once a year, and others can bloom multiple times. In general, a Cattleya will need the most water and nutrients when actively growing and blooming. They will then enter a rest period where moisture and fertilizer should be restricted.
Where does cattleya grow?
Natural Habitat. Wild cattleya leopoldii growing on a tree in Brazil. This variety evolved in the rainforests of South America, growing along the trunks and branches of host trees in the humid canopy. These non-parasitic plants do not draw nutrients from the trees, however.
What is a cattleya?
The Cattleya is a “sympodial” orchid, meaning it grows from a horizontal stem or “rhizome.” The rhizome sends out creeping roots, and thick pseudobulbs grow upwards. The flower stalks emerge from these.
What is the best medium for growing orchids?
Chopped fir bark is very popular, though growers in particularly humid areas may choose an even drier medium like coconut husk or even gravel. The growth medium needs to drain well to avoid root rot. Over time, the bark, moss, or fiber that your orchid is planted in will break down and compact.
How often should I water my cattleya?
There are two aspects of proper watering to consider: when and how. Simply summarized, cattleyas should be watered only after the potting medium has become “dry.” Frequency of watering will vary. Once a week is a good base to begin, remembering that some factors will speed up drying of the potting medium, others will slow it down. A lot of sunshine, heat, good air movement, active growth, a large plant in a small pot, low humidity, the type of potting medium (such as bark, gravel, tree fern chunks, etc.), windy weather and the like all contribute to faster drying and, consequently, increased frequency of water. Conversely, high humidity, dark, cold, cloudy or rainy weather, large pots, inactive plants (that is, not in active growth), tightly packed potting medium, little air movement and similar circumstances will slow the process of drying and hence decrease the frequency of watering. Note that some of these factors affect the entire collection of plants, other affect only certain individual plants. Watch each plant carefully, consider each by itself. Each beginner must learn for themselves, but remember that plants will recover much more rapidly from under-watering and it is best to err on the dry side, following the rule, when in doubt, don't water.#N#Many beginning grows soak their plants in a bucket of water. While this may at first seem to be a good way of making sure the potting medium gets thoroughly wet, it is actually not a good practice. Should one of the plants have a disease or insect infestation, all those soaked in the same water after it may well become infected. For small collections it is much better to place the plants in the sink and carefully flood with water until the medium is thoroughly wet, being careful not to wash the medium out of the pot. Take time to let the water run copiously from the bottom of the pot, leaching away accumulated fertilizers or minerals from the water.
How long does it take for a cattleya to flower?
With proper care, a Cattleya plant can be grown on indefinitely and can be flowered year after year.
Why are my cattleya leaves turning yellow?
Cattleyas receiving a proper balance of light, humidity and temperature will have rather light yellow-green leaves. Too much light will turn the leaves more yellow than green, give them a dull appearance, or will burn black areas on the upper surfaces of the leaves facing toward the sun.
What is a cattleya corsage?
For a long period, a Cattleya corsage was a prerequisite for any special occasion and as a result the Cattleya has often been called the Queen of Orchids. While no longer the reigning queen of the orchid floral industry it is difficult not to be impressed by a well-flowered Cattleya. No longer limited to white and various shades of lavender and purple, high quality flowers are available in the entire color spectrum (except true blue) and in a wide range of plant sizes. Most Cattleyas and their relatives are easy to grow. With reasonable care, they can be grown anywhere in the world. Their requirements are few and are summarized below. For the meanings of terms which refer to parts of the plant and flowers, see the accompanying plate.
What is the ideal temperature for a summer?
In winter, the daytime temperature should range from about 60F to 70F, the night temperature being set for a minimum of about 55F. In the summer, a night temperature of 60F to 65F is desirable, while the day temperature ideally should range from 65F to 75F, but an upper limit of 85F is more realistic.
How much light do cattleyas need?
To grow well and to flower consistently, cattleyas require a good amount of light, preferably in the range from 2,000 to 3,000 foot-candles (about 65-70% shade), although they will tolerate a great deal more light if it is accompanied by sufficient humidity and air movement to keep the leaf-temperature down.
How does ventilation affect humidity?
In climates where natural humidity is high, simple ventilation is practical, but in many areas, where natural humidity is low and temperature is high, ventilation can be destructive by draining away humidity in the growing area, drying out the plants and retarding growth.
Water Requirements
Light Requirements
- Cattleyas thrive with medium light conditions. A great inside location to place your Cattleya is on an eastern facing windowsill. If you have a shaded southern facing windowsill this will also work. A way to determine if your orchid is getting enough light will be if the leaves are a medium green color and the pseudobulbs are upright. If your orchid is receiving too much light the leaves will h…
Temperature Requirements
- The temperature requirements for Cattleyas are daytime temperatures somewhere between 70°F to 80°F (21.1°C to 26.6°C) and night temperatures between 55°F to 60°F (12.8°C to 15.6°C). Cattleyas will do best when there is a 15°F to 20°F (8.3°C to 11.1°C) difference between day and night temperatures. Higher daytime temperatures encourage faster growth, although if you plan …
Humidity Requirements
- Cattleyas thrive in humid conditions, however, if a Cattleya orchid is kept in excess moist conditions then disease and rot can set in which will cause damage to the plant. If you need to increase the humidity for your orchid, you have several different options such as a greenhouse, humidity tray, or humidifier. It is also important to remember that the more humid you keep the o…
Fertilizer Requirements
- When Cattleya orchids are in full growth they should be fertilized every two weeks, or if you prefer to dilute the fertilizer solution you can fertilize more often. If the Cattelya is not in active growth then fertilizing once a month will be plenty. It is important to never fertilize an orchid that is completely dry. This can cause major damage to the roots. An orchid fertilizer mix of (20-20-20) …
Potting Requirements
- Cattleyas should be repotted in a course mix every two to three years or once the potting medium remains soggy and no longer drains properly. Before repotting in a new pot, you should always trim away the damaged roots with a sterile cutting tool. The best type of pot to use for a Cattleya is a clay pot. This is because water evaporates from clay pots faster and this is better for the dry…