Care of the indoor plant Cattleya or Queen of the Orchids |
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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. They are used in hanging baskets as indoor and greenhouse plants. In summer they can be placed outside in semi-shade. The 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. They need medium-high humidity and good ventilation. They do not need fertilizers. They are quite resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They are propagated by division of the rhizome at the time of the annual transplant. |
Images of the indoor plant Cattleya or Queen of the Orchids |
 Cattleya  Cattleya  Cattleya  Cattleya amethysloglona  Cattleya intermedia  Cattleya labiata  Cattleya labiata  Cattleya  Cattleya |