Taking Care Of A Cattleya Orchid

Among the many variants of orchids, Cattleya orchids are known to be the Queen of Orchids. The blooms of the cattleya are the first thing that most people will think of when orchids are being mentioned. As a matter of fact, cattleyas are popularly used as an elegant decor in special occasions. Talking about orchid bouquets, the variant of cattleya will always be one of the favorites.

The natural habitat of Cattleya is in the wild. It grows naturally in rainforests and mountainous regions that have high humidity. For it to possibly grow in our gardens, scientists have developed special breeds of this variant to be able to enhance its versatility making it possible for the orchid to thrive outside its natural habitat. In nature, cattleyas can be found growing on trees; therefore its root system requires unique conditions.

If you would want to cultivate these regal beauties in your home, it is very important for you to know about the preferences of your plant for you to be able to provide them with the most conducive environment at your home. The following key points are of most importance if you want to create the perfect environment for your Cattleya:

Potting
Potting this plant has a few requirements that you should meet. It is a highly recommended to use a pot that is made of natural porous material, like terracotta, that has holes for ventilation in the sides and bottom to allow the greatest amount of free flowing air and soak up extra wetness. If you would want to have the most positive result you must fill the pot with a substance that is specialized for orchids, preferably the ones which contains bulky absorbent material. A well taken cared orchid has an ever growing root system, so you will need to re-pot your Cattleya every two years to accommodate the growth.

Light
This plant definitely loves the light. However, being exposed in a direct sunlight can cause burns on its leaves. The Cattleya must have a liberal amount of filtered or screened sunshine all year long. During the winter months or if you live in a particularly cloudy or shady area, an artificial light will do the trick to make sure that your cattleya receives the appropriate light it needs.

Temperature
Cattleyas can thrive in a broad range of temperatures, depending on the season. And because cattleyas originally thrive in rainforests, they can also require a significant nighttime temperature drop of about 15 degrees or more. Therefore it will be a good idea to have a chat with your local plant expert to determine the needs of your specific breed.

Humidity
The humidity of the cattleya's environment is of most importance because cattleyas depend on the moisture from the air for some of its hydration. This is the reason why they must be in a room that has an extremely high level of humidity. In order to achieve the required level of humidity indoors, you can place containers of water or damp stones close to the plant. Using a spray bottle to frequently mist the plant is also very important. You may also choose to run a humidifier or house the plant in a damp corner of your bathroom.

Water
The rule of the thumb that you must bear in mind when watering any orchid is that less is more. You can over water the cattleya very easily especially if the flower is in fool bloom. During this stage, the Cattleya develops new growth by storing water and nutrients in pseudo bulbs. The plant absorbs moisture from its humid environment therefore the roots will only absorb as much moisture as necessary to maintain the balance. The roots prefer a consistent level of barely damp soil rather than frequent drenching. To avoid over watering the cattleya, you must feel the potting substance around the plant and add water only when it is really necessary.

Fertilizer
Adding an orchid-specific fertilizer once a month and more often when they are in bloom, can optimize the beauty of your plant. Special fertilizers are made for specific phases of the plant's growth. You can find what you exactly need at garden centers.

Cattleyas are indeed one of the most fascinating orchids to grow. Doing some research on the needs of your plant can take you to your success in growing your plant.