Cattleya spp.

cattleya orchids

Orchidaceae Tropical Central and South America

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–12

Overview

Cattleya spp. is a genus of around 50 species of epiphytic and lithophytic orchids in the family Orchidaceae, native to tropical Central and South America. Plants grow from creeping rhizomes that produce upright, club-shaped pseudobulbs, each carrying one or two thick, leathery leaves 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) long. From the top of a mature pseudobulb rises a stem of one to several large flowers, 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) across, with broad sepals and petals and a frilled, trumpet-shaped lip. Flower color spans white, yellow, pink, lavender, and deep purple, often with a contrasting throat, and many are scented. Cattleya spp. grows on tree branches and rocks in humid forest, anchoring by thick roots that absorb water and nutrients from rain and air. The genus needs bright light, warmth, high humidity, and free air movement, and it rots in soggy, airless conditions. Plants flower once or twice a year, with each flower lasting one to three weeks. Long grown for the cut-flower and corsage trade, Cattleya spp. and its hybrids number in the thousands.

Native Range

Cattleya spp. is native to the tropical Americas, from Mexico and Central America through to Brazil, Argentina, and the Andes. It grows as an epiphyte on trees or on rock in humid lowland and montane forest, from near sea level to cool cloud forest.

Suggested Uses

Cattleya spp. is grown as a flowering houseplant, in greenhouses and shade houses, and mounted on bark or in baskets in frost-free gardens. In warm, humid climates it is grown on trees and walls as an epiphyte. Its flowers are widely used as cut blooms and in corsages.

How to Identify

Identify Cattleya spp. by its jointed, club- or spindle-shaped pseudobulbs topped with one or two stiff, leathery leaves, growing along a creeping rhizome. Large flowers with a wide, frilled lip rise from a sheath at the leaf base. Thick, white, cord-like aerial roots and an epiphytic perch separate it from terrestrial orchids.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 2'

Width/Spread8" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Cattleya spp. flowers once or twice a year, with the season set by the species or hybrid; many bloom in spring or autumn after the new pseudobulb matures. Each flower lasts one to three weeks, and a stem may carry several at once. A cool, drier rest after growth often triggers flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white, yellow, pink, lavender, or purple

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cattleya spp. grows on bark, in coarse orchid mix, or mounted, never in ordinary potting soil, in bright light short of harsh midday sun. Roots need to dry between waterings, as constant wet causes rot, so plants are watered heavily then allowed to approach dryness. Warm days of 70–85°F (21–29°C) with cooler nights and humidity of 50–70 percent suit the genus. A weak balanced fertilizer is applied during active growth and reduced during the winter rest. Free-moving air around the roots and leaves limits rot and fungal spotting. Plants are repotted every two to three years as the mix breaks down, divided when crowded.

Pruning

Cattleya spp. needs no pruning of living growth. Old flower stems are cut once the blooms fade, and the dry sheaths and spent flower stalks are removed. Shrivelled old back-bulbs are trimmed away at repotting and can be used to start new plants.