Orchid Web Designs

Cattleyas (KAT-lee-a)

Origin

Central and South America

Temperature

The optimal range for growing Catts is 55^oF night and upwards to 85^oF daytime. Catts are intermediate, enjoying cooler nights and warm days.

Light

Bright light is required for Catts to grow and ﬂower well. 4-6 hours of light a day is the minimum of light with the intensity of 2000-4000 foot candles, full bright winter sun. Take care to shade the plant in the summer from direct sun on the plant leaves, especially at noon.

Humidity

The best relative humidity for Catts is 40-60%. If you grow your plants in the house putting them in trays ﬁlled with gravel and water can provide the needed humidity. The bottom of the pot should always be above the level of the water.

Watering

Cattleyas like to dry out between waterings. Keep in mind that they grow on tree limbs in nature. Thoroughly soak the plant with water when it is time to water. The roots should look more green when the water has penetrated the outer spongy white coating. Tepid water is best.

Fertilizer

The most fertilizer is required during the plants growing season. This can vary since some Cattleyas are summer blooming or winter blooming. Balanced fertilizers such as 20-20-20 or 18-18-18 are best used once a week at ¹/₂ strength (¹/₂ tsp. per gallon of water.)

Repotting

The only time to repot Catts is during the time when the roots are actively growing. The new roots will have green or yellowish tips when they are actively growing. Use a pot which will give the new front growth space, of about two inches. A medium of ﬁr bark, medium size, will provide a growing media which will allow water to drain freely. If the plant has grown large (8”+ pot) you can divide it as long as there are three leafy growths per division.

Summer Growing Condistions

If the plants are placed outside for the summer, they should get early morning and late afternoon sun, but not the intense sun of noon. Catts need to be gradually acclimated to the sun so as to not burn the leaves.

Click here to download a printable PDF File




	Cattleyas (KAT-lee-a) Origin Central and South America Temperature The optimal range for growing Catts is 55^oF night and upwards to 85^oF daytime. Catts are intermediate, enjoying cooler nights and warm days. Light Bright light is required for Catts to grow and ﬂower well. 4-6 hours of light a day is the minimum of light with the intensity of 2000-4000 foot candles, full bright winter sun. Take care to shade the plant in the summer from direct sun on the plant leaves, especially at noon. Humidity The best relative humidity for Catts is 40-60%. If you grow your plants in the house putting them in trays ﬁlled with gravel and water can provide the needed humidity. The bottom of the pot should always be above the level of the water. Watering Cattleyas like to dry out between waterings. Keep in mind that they grow on tree limbs in nature. Thoroughly soak the plant with water when it is time to water. The roots should look more green when the water has penetrated the outer spongy white coating. Tepid water is best. Fertilizer The most fertilizer is required during the plants growing season. This can vary since some Cattleyas are summer blooming or winter blooming. Balanced fertilizers such as 20-20-20 or 18-18-18 are best used once a week at ¹/₂ strength (¹/₂ tsp. per gallon of water.) Repotting The only time to repot Catts is during the time when the roots are actively growing. The new roots will have green or yellowish tips when they are actively growing. Use a pot which will give the new front growth space, of about two inches. A medium of ﬁr bark, medium size, will provide a growing media which will allow water to drain freely. If the plant has grown large (8”+ pot) you can divide it as long as there are three leafy growths per division. Summer Growing Condistions If the plants are placed outside for the summer, they should get early morning and late afternoon sun, but not the intense sun of noon. Catts need to be gradually acclimated to the sun so as to not burn the leaves. Click here to download a printable PDF File