Orchid Cattleya Care

Cattleyas (pronounced KAT-lee-ah) are among the most popular orchids, and often used as the basis for comparison with other types of orchids. Most of the wild Cattleya orchids grow in rain forests of South America, and are used to being partly covered by the canopy of the rain forest and get considerable humidity and bright light.

Cattleya Light
Light is the most important factor in growing and flowering cattleyas. Growing in the forest they are used to diffuse but bright light, with no direct sun in the middle of the day. This means an east, shaded south or west window in the home. Leaves should be a medium green color, pseudobulbs erect and requiring no staking.

Cattleya Temperature
Temperatures should be 55 to 60 F at night and 70 to 85 F during the day. Seedlings should have night temperatures five to 10 degrees higher. A 15 to 20 degree differential between day and night is recommended, especially for mature plants.

Cattleya Water
Water should be provided in the pot by watering, and in the air as humidity. Mature cattleyas need to dry out thoroughly before being watered again. Seedlings need more constant moisture. If in doubt, it’s best to wait a day or two until watering. Plants in active growth need more water than plants that are resting.

Cattleya Humidity
Humidity is a friend to Cattleyas, since they are native to rain forests. Most will do well by placing the plants on trays of gravel, only partially filled with water so that the plants do not sit in the water. Air should always be moving around the plants to prevent fungal or bacterial disease, especially if high humidity or cool temperatures exist.

Cattleya Feeding
Fertilize on a regular schedule. When in active growth, plants need fertilizer at least every two weeks, and when not actively growing, once a month. ‘Weekly, weakly’ is good with orchids, which means to dilute the fertilizer to one quarter strength and fertilze more often. Follow up with just plain water once a month to flush out excess fertilizer salts.

Cattleya Potting
Potting is necessary when the rhizome of the plants protrudes over the edge of the pot or the potting medium starts to break down and drain poorly. It is best to repot just before new roots sprout from the rhizome, after flowering or in the spring. Select a pot that will allow for approximately two years of growth before crowding the pot.