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This month ONT will focus on the genus: Cattleya
The genus Cattleya is also known as the "Corsage Orchid". Cattleyas are one of the most commonly grown and cultivated orchids. Cattleyas, like most other cultivated orchids, are epiphytes, or air plants. These plants have large and fleshy roots as well as well-developed pseudobulbs which act as a water-storage organ. For good results, Cattleyas should be potted in a free draining and porous medium. Fir bark, various types of rock, shredded tree-fern fiber, pressed coconut fiber and mixes based on peat moss and perlite, are the most commonly used. Remember to always keep your Cattleyas out of cold, dry air while in bloom. LIGHT: It is important to provide your plants with sufficient light for healthy growth and flower production. PROVIDE: Your Cattleya plants must be provided with bright light with some sun. If you grow your Cattleyas in your home, place them in an east, west or highly shaded north window. If you grow your Cattleyas in a greenhouse, provide them with 30 to 50 percent full sun. If you grow your plants under lights, use four 40 watt fluorescent tubes and two 40 watt incandescent bulbs directly over the plants. Plants should be naturally erect, without need of much staking, and of a medium olive-green colour. Dark green and limp foliage indicates too little light. TEMPERATURE: Mature Cattleya plants need a 10 to 15 degrees Celsius difference between night and day. Provide your plants with a night-time temperature of 13 to 16 degrees Celsius, and day-time temperatures of 21 to 30 degrees Celsius. Cattleyas can tolerate temperatures of up to 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, if shading, humidity and air-circulation are increased. Seedlings need temperatures of 3 to 5 degrees higher than mature plants. WATER: Mature Cattleya plants must dry out between watering. Seedlings should be provided with more constant moisture. HUMIDITY: Cattleyas need 50 to 60 percent humidity. If you grow your plants in the home, place them on a tray of moistened pebbles. If you grow your plants in the greenhouse, use a humidifier if the conditions are too dry. FERTILISER: Must he provided on a regular basis, because most potting media contain little fertiliser. PROVIDE: The exact type of fertiliser you use will depend on the mix in which your plant is growing. A good general rule is to use a balanced (10- 10-10, 12-12-12 or similar ratio) fertiliser weakly diluted on a weekly basis. Thus, fertilise every week at one quarter of the recommended dilution. POTTING: Should be done every two to thee years before the potting mix loses its consistency. Pot firmly in media that have good aeration and ample drainage, allowing enough room for two years' growth. PLEASE NOTE: The above information is only a general guideline on growing your Cattleya.
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Please Note: The opinions & recommendations made in articles that appear on this website, are those of the individual authors, and not those of the Orchid Society of Northern Transvaal (ONT). The ONT neither adopts nor endorses such opinions & recommendations and disclaims all responsibility for them. This includes products advertised on this website. |
