This genus, from tropical America, is one of the most popular group of orchids in cultivation. These rock and tree dwellers have showy, colorful, long-lasting, and sometimes fragrant flowers produced on stout plants with club-shaped to cylindrical bulb-like stems, known as pseudobulbs. They are topped with 1 (unifoliate) or 2 (bifoliate), dull green, leathery leaves. Most species require warmth in winter, though many of the Brazilian, biofliate, autumn-flowering types will stand cooler winter temperatures for short periods of time while dormant if kept dry. Healthy plants will develop an extensive system of thick white roots, which are long-lived and freely branch. Thousands of hybirds have been developed within the genus, with many of the larger flowering types grown commercially for cut flower production and often used in corsages.
CULTIVATION
Cattleyas must have unimpeded drainage and prefer a coarse bark-based medium. The plants can be grown in porous pots or hanging baskets with suitable coarse fibrous compost. After several years, if may be necessary to report them when dormant.
Top Tip
Cattleyas make wonderful house plants, but need reasonably high humidity and protection from intense sunlight-indirect or dappled light is preferred.
CULTIVATION
Cattleyas must have unimpeded drainage and prefer a coarse bark-based medium. The plants can be grown in porous pots or hanging baskets with suitable coarse fibrous compost. After several years, if may be necessary to report them when dormant.
Top Tip
Cattleyas make wonderful house plants, but need reasonably high humidity and protection from intense sunlight-indirect or dappled light is preferred.
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