Cattleya Orchid

-A history of the Cattleya Orchid.

Cattleya orchids have been named William Cattley in the early 19th century. The earliest named cattleya was the Cattleya labiata. Since then there has been a mystique about them. From the hobbyist perspective they are probably the most popular plant The cattleya orchid plants have one of the largest flowers, 5 inches across. They are harder to grow as most of them flower only once per year. And the flowers last only about 2 - 3 weeks.

Although the hobbyists are the ones particularly taken with cattleya plants now. They are becoming popular with non-hobbyist because of the size of the flower. These large flowers are exquisite and unique for corsages. . The new Cattleya hybrids are lasting longer and they are blooming more than once per year. It has been shown that the cattleya orchids now can be bred for more frequent blooming. This is important for the non-hobbyist who doesn't want the plant to be just leaves for 49 weeks a year.

Cattleya orchids hybrids also will show the flower for more than 2-3 weeks and some of the hybrids have been shown flowers for up to 5 -6 weeks. Cattleya orchids blooming more than once per year is important and actually has

spooned another sub-industry. Some of the nurseries across the country will "board" your cattleya between blooming seasons.

The Cattleya orchid plant registry in England has not added many new plants in resent years. Over the last 100+ years the numbers have been essentially stagnant. This means these orchid plants have been primarily in the hands of hobbyists and not the general public.

Cattleya orchids must be easier for folks to grow because most of us do not enjoy the benefits of a greenhouse. Indeed, cattleya orchid plants growers have been making some good progress in the frequency of cattleya blooming frequently and increasing the length of time that the flowers stay in bloom. I feel it will be over the next 2 - 5 years you will see the popularity of these beautiful plants increase.

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-Cattleya orchid growing

These cattleya orchids are probably the easiest to care for and like all plants need water, light and fertilizer. Playing some nice music or talking to them doesn't hurt either.

Most of the wild cattleya grow in rain forests of South America, namely in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Mexico. They flourish in the Andes from altitudes near sea level to high altitudes of 9 - 10,000 feet. These cattleya orchids are truly epiphytes or air plants. So, they are used to being partly covered by the canopy of the rain forest and get considerable humidity and bright light to grow.

Being in the forest they are used to diffuse light all be it bright light. The pseudopods are the cattleya orchids main way to hold water which is so important for their growth and life. It is from the pseudopods that the orchid flowers come from.

Being in the forest and at various altitudes there are a wide range of temperatures that cattleya orchids plants are used to. In the winter and higher altitudes these cattleya orchid plants become accustom to temps which can go as low as 50 - 55 degrees in the winter and as high as 80-90 degrees in the summer.

Humidity is the friend to cattleya orchid. We can understand this from being in rain forests. Most cattleya do well with being set on humidity trays. These are metal or plastic trays that are filled with pepples and then half full with water.

The plant roots cannot sit in water for a long period of time or else they will get root rot. Allow for good air circulation but not sitting in direct aim of an air vent.

Generally, watering cattleya orchids twice a week does well during their growth and flowering period and once a week during their period of rest.

Cattleyas are orchids that can and should get dry between watering. This aids in the growth of healthy pseudopods. Be sure that the potting medium allow the water to drain out fairly rapidly.

To check to see if a cattleya orchid plant needs water stick your finger about 1 inch into the potting material and see if it comes out dry or damp. If dry it needs watering. If damp it may be able to go another day or two without water.

Cattleya Orchid White Red

Cattleya Pink

-Cattleya Orchid Pictures

Cattleya at the Singapore Orchid Garden

Singapore Orchid Garden and Waterfall

Red Cattleya Orchid Seed

As you can see in this cattleya orchid photos, cattleya orchid hybrids have great colors. Cattleya have a relatively short bloom cycle, that means you always will have great colors in the house. Left orchid photo shows cattleya orchid seeds. Cattleya orchids are easy to care for and a  cattleya culture with great cattleya flower is easy to set up. Cattleya leaves are usually larger than other orchids leaves. Enjoy your cattleya orchid flowers.

Cattleya Hybrids at the Singapore Orchid Garden When watering cattleya orchids allow the water to flow into the cattleya orchids plant and then drain right out into the sink and not into the humidity tray. You can let the water flow onto the cattleya orchid for about 20-30 seconds and the pseudopods will get enough water for storage. If cattleya orchid plants are blossom in the winter or spring this means that these orchid plants deserve a rest period of about 6 to 8 weeks. During this time water cattleya orchids about once a week and keep the lighting the same. If the cattleya orchid blossom in the summer time no rest period is needed. With these rather easy steps you will get many years of joy from your cattleya orchid plants. Author Robert Roy - buy orchids at : http://www.orchid-store.orchids-plus-more.com     Cattleya Orchid Pictures   Orchid nursery