Cattleya is a genus of epiphytes orchids with big, showy flowers. It was named after William Cattley, an English orchid collector. Cattleya has long, cylindrical pseudobulbs with may be either thick or thin. The leaves are sword-shaped. The flower stalk grows from the sheath at the base of the leaf. Cattleya produces between two to fifteen flowers.
Cattleya flowers have broad, tongue-shaped lips that are frequently frilled at the edges. The flowers come in a variety of colors including white, yellow, orange, pink, purple, red, green, dark red, and diverse combinations.
Origin
The Cattleya genus count some 60 species from South America.
Position
Cattleya require well-lit position. Minimum temperature at night should be 15°C.
Watering
Give it a fair amount of demineralised water during the growing period. Regular plunging is so helpful. Allow the compost to be on the dry side before watering again. In the dormant season, give it less water. Humidity can be increased by indirect spraying.
Feeding
Feed it once a month at one-third normal concentration.
Repotting
Report after flowering. Place a thick layer of crocks at the bottom of pot to increase drainage.
Propagating
Propagate by division. Each section should have at least two pseudobulbs and a growing point.
Orchid Growing in the Tropics, by the Orchid Society of South East Asia
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