Care of the indoor plant Cattleya or Queen of the Orchids |
The genus Cattleya, family Orchidaceae, includes about 60 species of orchids and numerous hybrids native to Central and South America. Some species are: Cattleya trianae, Cattleya labiata, Cattleya intermedia, Cattleya amethysloglona, Cattleya bowringiana, Cattleya dowiana, Cattleya mossiae. Common names: Queen of the Orchids, Cattleya Orchid, Japhette Orchid, Corsage orchid. They are slow-growing epiphytic orchids that have leathery, ribbed or lanceolate leaves of deep green color. The spectacular large flowers can be pink, white, mauve, orange, red, etc. They can bloom in different seasons of the year, depending on the variety. Queen of the Orchids is used in hanging baskets as indoor and greenhouse plants. In summer it can be placed outside in semi-shade. Catleya needs a full sun or very bright exposure; in summer he prefers a semi-shaded exhibition. The temperature must not be lower than 14 ºC (57.2 ºF). The soil can be a highly ground mixture of 1/5 peat, 3/5 pine bark, and 1/5 Styrofoam. Transplant every year in early spring. Water frequently with lukewarm lime-free water so that the substrate does not dry out completely. In winter reduce watering. Cattleya Orchid needs medium-high humidity and good ventilation. Japhette Orchid does not need fertilizers. Cattleya Orchid is a quite resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases. Corsage orchid is propagated by division of the rhizome at the time of the annual transplant. |
Images of the indoor plant Cattleya or Queen of the Orchids |