Saturday, November 29, 2008

Cattleya dolosa




This species is also known as the Dolose Cattleya and is native to Brazil. Cattleya dolosa grows on rock outcroppings or sometimes trees.

The plant is very similar to Cattleya walkeriana. The fragrant flower of Cattleya dolosa is similar in size and form to Cattleya walkeriana. Each 3 inch flower stem has between one to (rarely) four, 5 inch flowers that are very waxy and have a heavy substance. Flowers are long-lived. Blooms in spring.

Cattleya dolosa is frequently grown mounted on cork slabs or in baskets, but some growers report success using pots with extremely open fast draining medium such as coarse bark nuggets.

It was once thought that Cattleya dolosa was a natural hybrid between Cattleya walkeriana and Cattleya harrisoniana or Cattleya loddigesii. However, after years of hybridizing, Cattleya dolosa was not able to be reproduced through experimentation and was awarded species status. It is rare in cultivation but worthy of a spot in your collection.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Cattleya deckeri


This species is also known as Decker's Cattleya and was named in honor of a German botanist who lived during the 1800s.

It is native to Panama and Trinidad. Cattleya deckeri is found growing in low hills to sea level and it is found growing on tree trunks that overhang rivers or in bushes or rocks.

The flowers of Cattleya deckeri are rosy purple with a darker lip. There are yellow markings in the throat. The flower is very similar to Cattleya skinneri. Flowers are 3 1/2 inches (8.75 cm) wide and bloom in the fall.

Cattleya deckeri is the only species in the genus found in both Central and South America. This species is often confused with Cattleya skinneri, but it grows in a different geographic location and blooms during the fall rather than the spring. It is medium in size and bifoliate.

Provide warm, humid growing conditions with bright to moderate light. Grows well in pots or mounted on cork bark.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Cattleya bowringiana


This species is also know as Bowring's Cattleya and was named after an English orchid grower who lived in the late 1800s.

It is native to Belize and Guatemala. Cattleya bowringiana prefers to grow on exposed rocks near free-flowing streams. They can be found near cliffs between 200 and 900 meters. Atmospheric humidity is high at all times. It may grow as a lithophyte in rocky ravines, with the plants splayed out on rocks with little shade. Interestingly, Cattleya bowringiana has occasionally been found growing as a terrestrial on quartz sand along rapidly flowing streams in addition to its more traditional habitat of large tropical trees.

Cattleya bowringiana has bold, club-shaped pseudobulbs, that can reach 10 to 15 inches in height, and are topped with two (sometimes three) leaves. The leaves are thick and leathery. Well-grown plants can reach 20 to 30 inches and produce up to 25 flowers per flower spike. Flowers are 3 inches (7.5 cm). The flower spike emerges from short-lived spates and grows to 10 inches (25 cm) before the flowers open. Flowers grow in clusters from a few (5 to 10) to a maximum of 15 to 25. Blooms in the fall and winter.

Grow in cool or warm Cattleya growing conditions. Cattleya bowringiana is easy to grow. As one reviewer put it, "There is no special treatment for these plants; they just grow". The plant sends out new growths in late May or June that will mature by late summer and will flower without a rest period in late September and October (in the United States). Provide lots of water when actively growing.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Cattleya bicolor


This species is also know as the Bicolored Cattleya orchid.

Like many other Cattleya species, this one is native to Brazil. Cattleya bicolor is found growing in the Brazilian states of Distrito Federal, Goias, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

Plants are medium to large in size. Cattleya bicolor has long, ribbed, cylindrical pseudobulbs that are topped with two oblong leaves. This species can grow to be a large robust plant. The larger the plant, the more flowers will be produced per spike.

Flowers grow to 4 inches and very fragrant. The petals and sepals of Cattleya bicolor are a mahogany-brown with purple overtones. The lip is rosy pink or magenta. Flower color can vary considerably between individuals. Sometimes the petals and sepals are olive-green in color. Flowers are long-lived and of heavy substance. The flower spike emerges from a healthy basal sheath and has between one and seven flowers beautifully displayed. Blooms from fall to spring.

Cool to warm growing conditions are acceptable. Cattleya bicolor needs a large well drained pot or basket, good ventilation and sunlight. The potting media should be open, apply adequate water and fertilizer when growing. Reduce watering when the plant rests after flowering.

For more information:
Cattleya Orchid Source
Cattleya Source Wiki

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Cattleya aurea - Golden Cattleya Orchid


Cattleya aurea is native to Columbia. It grows on trees between 300 and 1000 meters in elevation.

The plant resembles Cattleya labiata or any other typical unifoliate Cattleya orchid species. The upright pseudobulbs of Cattleya aurea have one green leaf.

A well grown Cattleya aurea plant can produce up to 5 or 6 large flowers per growth. The flowers are large, well-formed and have an impressively marked broad lip. The flower petal color is usually yellow (compared to Cattleya dowiana's olive). Flowers are fragrant but short-lived. Blooms in spring.

Cattleya aurea is very similar to Cattleya dowiana but comes from a different part of the world and blooms a few months later. This species is highly endangered in its home country due to habitat destruction and should not be purchased as a jungle-collected plant.

Cattleya aurea grows well under typical Cattleya conditions and light. Some growers have reported difficulty keeping the plants growing for more than a few years. Perhaps as more seed-grown plants from greenhouses enter the trade the problem will lessen.

For More Information:

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Cattleya amethystoglossa


Cattleya amethystoglossa is also known as the Amethyst Cattleya.

Cattleya amethystoglossa grows in a warm, humid environment near sea-level in the State of Bahia near the Atlantic coast of Brazil. Its roots cling to palm tree trunks, rock formations or the highest branches of very tall trees where there are high light levels and good air circulation. The native habitat of this formerly widespread species is rapidly disappearing because the areas are being converted to agriculture and the coastal and drier interior forests are being cut down.

Cattleya amethystoglossa
is one of the tallest Cattleya orchid species and is the most robust of all bifoliate Cattleyas.

Flowers grow to 4 inches (10 cm) and are fragrant. The petals and sepals are light lavender to pale rose with mauve or magenta spots. The amount of spotting varies widely between individuals.

Give Cattleya amethystoglossa a warm spot in the greenhouse and water and feed heavily during active growth. Reduce watering when the pseudobulbs mature and let the plant get a rest. Provide bright light for best flowering.

For more information:
Cattleya Orchid Source
Cattleya Source Wiki

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Growing Cattleya Orchids Outdoors in Houston, Texas

I found this blog post about growing Cattleya orchids outdoors in Houston, Texas.  The author was able to get them through a winter outdoors with just a little winter protection.  Its worth a read.

Euchile mariae - Maria's Euchile



Euchile mariae
is also known as Maria's Euchile. This species is native to Mexico where it grows on oak trees in dry oak forests in northwest Mexico.

Plants are medium-sized. Euchile mariae has pseudobulbs that have two or three grayish-green leaves.

Flowers grow to 3 inches in diameter and are fragrant. The flowers of Euchile mariae are produced on 5 to 12 inch (11-30 cm) long flower stem that has between one and five blooms. The flowers have green petals and sepals and a broad white lip and bloom in the pring Spring and Summer.

Provide high light (brighter than normal Cattleya conditions) for best results. Euchile mariae does best when grown mounted on driftwood or cork bark. Provide bright light and a dry winter rest. This species was first discovered in 1937.

This species is also know as Encyclia mariae, Epidendrum mariae, or Prosthechea mariae.

For more information:
Cattleya Orchid Source
Cattleya Source Wiki

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Cattleya aclandiae - Species Orchid



Cattleya aclandiae
is also known as Lady Ackland's Cattleya.

Cattleya aclandiae is endemic to the Brazilian state of Bahia. The relatively small habitat of Cattleya aclandiae starts southwest of Salvador and extends northeastward.

Cattleya aclandiae is a dwarf, 3-5 in. (7-12 cm), rarely 8 in. (20 cm). Small and bifoliate. Pseudobulbs, 2-8 in. (5-20 cm) long are short, cylindrical, and slightly broader near their top than at the base and topped with two thick, fleshy leaves (2-3 in. (5-8 cm) long) with red or black spots or blotches The blotches that sometimes cover the entire leaf surface. This characteristic tends to increase when plants are grown in high light.

Flower grow to 2.5 inches to 4 inches (6 to 10 cm). The flowers of are large for the size of the plant. One to (rarely) 3 flowers develop on short stems that develop in the protection of the leaves and emerge from the top of new growths. Each waxy, long-lasting blossom of Cattleya aclandiae has a mild, spicy fragrance. Sepals and petals are green or yellowish with variable amounts of dark red-brown, dark purple, or nearly black spotting. The small, white-edged side-lobes of the lip curl up but do not enclose column. The large, flat mid-lobe of the lip is magenta to deep purple with darker veins. This species blooms in spring and Summer.

Cattleya aclandiae is a compact member of the Cattleya family and is well-suited for growers who have a limited amount of space to allocate towards their hobby. For best flowering, provide a dry winter rest period. Begin watering heavily when new growth appears. Flowers will develop on the new growth and bloom in the late spring or early summer.

The first person to successfully grow and flower Cattleya aclandiae was Sir Thomas Ackland in 1840. The plant is named in honor of his wife, Lady Ackland.

For More Information:
Cattleya Orchid Source
Cattleya Source Wiki

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Encyclia alata - Winged Encyclia Orchid

Encyclia alata is also know as the winged Encyclia Orchid.

This lovely species is native from Mexico south to Costa Rica. Encyclia alata grows in open forests at low elevation. Usually, it grows on trees but it has been reported growing occasionally in as a terrestrial plant.

The flowers grow to 2 inches (5 cm) wide. The flower color and shape vary considerably between individuals. Generally, the flowers are long-lasting and fragrant. Encyclia alata produces a tall, branched inflorescence that produces numerous flowers from spring to fall.

Encyclia alata is a popular species because it is easy to grow and produces numerous, fragrant flowers. Grow mounted, in slatted baskets, or in clay or plastic pots in a loose, open media. Water liberally while producing new growth and less during the rest of the year. It likes heat and humidity. Large specimen plants are quite impressive.

Click on the links below for more information on Encyclia orchid species.


Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Broughtonia Species - Little Orchids with Big Charm


There are only two small species of this Broughtonia. Both of them are found growing on islands in the West Indies.

The plants are small with tightly packed, oval pseudobulbs. Two stiff leaves grow from the top of each bulb. The flower spike grows from the top of the pseudobulb and the flowers open one after the other for an extended period of time (often several months).

The plants prefer warm growing temperatures and bright light (brighter than Cattleyas). For best results, grow these plants mounted on tree branches or cork mounts and provide high humidity and good air circulation.

Broughtonia species are susceptible to scale insect attack and should be observed frequently so that remedial action can be taken at the first sign of infestation.  (See the following links for more information on pest control.)

Here are the species:

Monday, November 10, 2008

Rhyncholaelia digbyana


Rhyncholaelia digbyana is native to Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras. Rhyncholaelia digbyana is grows in sunny locations on the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Plants grow in tangles of brush that are exposed to a lot of sun and breezes.

Rhyncholaelia digbyana resembles a medium-sized unifoliate Cattleya. The pseudobulbs are stiff and dark green and the foliage is dark green with silver flushes. Sometimes the undersides of the leaves and pseudobulbs are flushed with maroon.

Flowers grow to 7 inches (17 cm). The large flowers are apple green to a greenish cream in color. The lip is impressively frilly and quite distinctive. Rhyncholaelia digbyana var. fimbripetala has frilly petals in addition to the lip. Sometimes there is a picote edge on the lip and a magenta flush on the back side of petals. The plants are quite fragrant at night. Turning on the light will cause the plant to temporarily stop perfume production until darkness commences. Most flowers occur from May to August.

Rhyncholaleia digbyana is frequently used to create complex Cattleya hybrids where it is used to bring its fantastic frilly lip to the genetic mix. Sometimes it is used to add a picote edge to the lip in hybrids with other genera. The color of the other parent is dominant in hybrids. The first successful hybrid with this species was flowered in 1889 between Rhyncholaelia digbyana and Cattleya mossiae and was called BC. digbyano-mossiae.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Cattleya trianae - Large flowers for late winter




Cattleya trianae is a large-flowered unifoliate Cattleya orchid species that produces beautiful flowers during late winter and early spring.

Cattleya trianae is native to Columbia and is widespread in the mountains near Magdalena, Popayan, Medellin, Bogota, Buga, and Ibague. The orchids traditionally have been found in areas ranging from the seashore to the mountains. Cattleya trianae is the national flower of Columbia and is endangered in its native habitat as a result of environmental degradation and urbanization.

Flowers grow between 6 and 8 inches (15-20 cm) wide and have beautiful colors. Petals and sepals of Cattleya trianae are pinkish-lavender. The front lobe of the lip is dark lavender or crimson. Petals are wider than sepals and somewhat ruffled. The throat is yellow. Flower color is highly variable and its flowers range across 15 colors, from white to red.

New growth begins shortly after flowering finishes in the early spring and continues till August. The sheaths are formed when the growth matures but flower buds do not start to grow until October. Give typical Cattleya growing conditions. There are some additional varieties available including Cattleya triane mooreana which has a dark splash on each petal. At one time, there were more named varieties of this species than any other Cattleya.

It was quite popular as a winter cut flower for corsages in the early 20th century.

See the following website for more information:

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Leptotes bicolor - Small, and easy-to-grow.



Botanical Name:
Leptotes bicolor

Common Name: Bicolored Leptotes

Leptotes bicolor grows on trees in subtropical forests near the coast from southern Brazil to Paraguay between 500 to 900 meters. The plants are miniature in size. Overall, the plant resembles a miniture Brassavola nodosa in appearance. The leaves of Leptotes bicolor are thick, fleshy, and pencil-like. The pseudobulbs are covered in dry sheaths and are cylindrical. The leaf has a grove on the top side.

Flowers are small and white with a colored lip. The flowers bloom in late winter or early spring. Sometimes well-grown plants bloom in the spring and fall.

Grow Leptotes bicolor mounted on tree fern or cork bark. Provide bright light (brighter than Cattleya light) and high humidity. Water frequently to keep it from drying out completely. They rapidly form small clumps when their needs are met.

Large specimens grown on tree fern or cork plaques or rafts are frequently seen at orchid shows in the late winter and early spring. Impressive.

See www.cattleyaorchidsource.com for more information about the genus Leptotes and more orchid species.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Cattleya labiata species orchid


Cattleya labiata was the species that started it all.  It was the first species to bloom in European cultivation and was named in honor of William Cattley who was the first to get it to flower.

Cattleya labiata was the first species to be grown successfully in England. This is the classic corsage orchid. Cattleya labiata var. semi-alba is a variety that has a white flower with a colored lip. There are many other varieties available. This fall-blooming species is easy to grow.


Cattleya Source Wiki



Find out more about Cattleya orchid species at the website.

http://cattleya.wikidot.com/start

Welcome to the new Cattleya Source Blog.


Cattleya Source blog will discuss the genus Cattleya and related orchid species.  Cattleyas have historically been the favorite orchid species for many years.  They are easy to grow in the greenhouse and can be coaxed to grow and bloom on windowsills throughout the world.

Here are some pictures to enjoy.