Cattleya
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KAT-lee-uh
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Light
Sufficient light is important for healthy growth and flower production.
Provide bright light, some sun. In the home, an east, west or lightly shaded
south window. In a greenhouse, about 30 to 50 percent full sun. Under lights,
four 40 watt fluorescent tubes and two 40 watt incandescent bulbs directly
over plants. Plants should be naturally a medium olive-green color. Dark green,
limp foliage indicates too little light.
Temperature
Mature plants need a 15º to 20º F difference between night and
day.
Provide Nights of 55º to 60º F; days of 70º to 85º F.
Cattleyas can tolerate temperatures up to 95º to 100º F if shading,
humidity and air circulation are increased. Seedling cattleyas need temperatures
five to 10 degrees higher than mature plants.
Water
Depends mostly on the growing medium. Mature plants must dry out between
waterings. Seedlings need more constant moisture
Cattleyas are among the most commonly grown orchids, and their culture is
often used as the basis for comparison with other types of orchids. Like most
other cultivated orchids, Cattleyas are epiphytes, or air plants. They have
well-developed water-storage organs (called pseudobulbs) and large, fleshy
roots.
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Humidity
Cattleyas need 50 to 60 percent. In the home, place on trays over moistened
pebbles. In greenhouse, use a humidifier if conditions are too dry.
Fertilizer
"weakly, weekly." That is, fertilize every week at one quarter to one half
of the recommended dilution. Must be provided on a regular basis. Exact fertilizer
you use will depend on the mix in which your plant is growing. A good general
rule is to use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10, 12-12-12 or similar ratio)
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Potting
Should be done every two to three years in spring before mix loses consistency
(breaks down). Pot firmly in media that have good aeration and ample drainage,
allowing enough room for two years' growth.
Cattleya should be potted in a porous, free-draining medium. The most commonly
used are fir bark, various types of rock and processed coconut fiber. Keep
out of cold, dry air while in bloom.
For potting media used in the biggest orchid
collection at Kew check here
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