 |
|
|
 |
|
All You Need To Know About Cattleya Orchids
In the wild, about 50 species of cattleya orchids exist. They grow in Central America, growing through the Amazon region to the south of Brazil. Their various attractive flowers and the tendency of these orchids to grow in large colonies means that they have been vigorously over-collected and has led many cattleya orchids to be endangered. These orchids produce strong 'pseudobulbs' topped with one or more leathery leaves. A dormant bud at the base grows into a new shoot each year, and this new shoot thickens to produce the current year's pseudobulb. The cattleya's flowers emerge from the tip of the current year's growth and comes in a wide array of colors from white and pink to green and purple. Some only flower twice annually. Hybrids: Numerous hybrids have been brought into existence over the years, many of which are easy to grow and easy to flower. Over 40 other orchid specices have been bred into Cattleyas, and notably among them is the Sophronitis which has been used to introduce scarlet and Brassovola for the frilly lip. Temperature and Humidity: The minimum night temperatures of 10-15Cº depends on the plants' origin but the growth in summer is rapid at temperatures of up to 26Cº. In case of excess humidity, a fan propelled atmosphere is suggested. Light: In the greenhouses, the normal maximum is 50% of full daylight or 2000-3000 foot candles. Since hot weather cannot be predicted, always shade sufficiently to ensure that the leaves are cool to the touch. When growing a cattleya orchid at home, always have a bright environment for the orchid, but not direct sunlight. This can be achieved by putting the orchid behind a net curtain right from April to September. These can also develop into good conservatory plants as long as summer shade and good air movement are readily available. Watering and Fertilizing: From March to September, the compost should never be allowed to dry out completely. Always water twice weekly and always fertilize every two weeks with an appropriate orchid fertilizer. From October to February, no fertiliser is required, but always waters the orchids when the compost appears dried out. A good thing to remember is not to over water the orchid, as it can take water neglect much better than over watering. Resources
|
|
|
|
 RELATED TOPICS
All You Need To Know About Cattleya Orchids Cattleya Orchids are those types of orchids which are the most eye-catching and exotic of all, which is why they're generally chosen for corsages. In the wild, about 50 species of cattleya... Honey, I Shrunk The Orchids Like there are miniature versions of trees in bonsai trees,there are miniature versions of the famed orchid flower. These miniature orchids vary in size from a few millimeters to 10cm. The orchid... How To Cultivate Vivacious And Superior Tropical Orchids The degree of difficulty in cultivating tropical orchids is no different from other orchids except that most of them are epiphytes (tree dwelling plants). In the early 1800's, British cultivators... Orchids That Remind You Of Hawaii The most prominent island of Hawaii bears the nickname of Orchid Island. Orchid farms in Hawaii cultivate these exotic and dynamic tropical flowers to enrich the lives of many families from near and... Proper Orchid Pruning Techniques Many ask the question, 'Why bother pruning an orchid?' Horticulturists say pruning an orchid is integral for growth. Pruning includes removing broken, dead or diseased branches to encourage flower... The Essential Facts Of The Western Prairie Fringed Orchid There is an abundance of fringed flowers and one of them is the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera praeclara). Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera praeclara) Status: ... Your Vanilla Orchid Source The vanilla orchid's roots reach back to the sixteenth century. The Aztec Indians of Mexico discovered that the seemingly inedible fruit or bean of a tropical orchid would exude an exotic aroma when...
Current Article Subject: |
|||
| Orchid Plant Guide Home |
| Copyright © 2006-2008 OrchidPlantGuide.com |