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Wikipedia / Cattleya

Cattleya () is a genus of orchids from Costa Rica south to Argentina. The genus is abbreviated C in trade journals.

Description

Epiphytic or terrestrial orchids with cylindrical rhizome from which the fleshy noodle-like roots grow. Pseudobulbs can be conical, spindle-shaped or cylindrical; with upright growth; one or two leaves growing from the top of them. The leaves can be oblong, lanceolate or elliptical, somewhat fleshy, with smooth margin. The inflorescence is a terminal raceme with few or several flowers. Flowers have sepals and petals free from each other; the lip or labellum (lowermost petal), usually has a different coloration and shape from the rest of the flower and covers in part the flower column forming a tube. There are four pollinia (bag-like organs that contain pollen). The fruit is a capsule with many small seeds.

Taxonomy

The genus was named in 1824 by John Lindley after horticulturalist William Cattley. Cattley obtained a specimen of then unnamed Cattleya labiata from William Swainson who had discovered the new plant in Pernambuco, Brazil, in 1817. The plant successfully bloomed under the care of Cattley and it became the type specimen from which Lindley described C. labiata.

Currently accepted species and subgeneric division within genus Cattleya are:

Subgenus Cattleya

  • Section Cattleya

Section Crispae

  • Series Cattleyodes

  • Series Hadrolaelia

  • Series Microlaelia

  • Series Parviflorae

  • Series Sophronitis

  • Section Lawrenceanae

  • Subgenus Cattleyella

  • Subgenus Intermediae

  • Subgenus Maximae

Subgenus Cattleya

Section Cattleya

Section Crispae

Series Cattleyodes
Series Hadrolaelia
Series Microlaelia
Series Parviflorae
Series Sophronitis

Section Lawrenceanae

Subgenus Cattleyella

Subgenus Intermediae

Subgenus Maximae

Natural hybrids

Currently accepted natural hybrids are:

Nothogenera

Hybrids of Cattleya and other genera are placed in the following nothogenera:

Cultivation

  • Light

  • Cattleyas need light, but not direct sunlight; in case of intense sunlight, shade must be provided.

  • Temperature

  • Day temperatures must be between 25–30°C (77–86°F) and night temperatures not lower than 10–12°C (50–53.6°F).

  • Humidity

  • Must be between 40–70% with good ventilation; however plants must not be exposed to air currents.

  • Watering

  • Water only if substrate is dry. It can be done once a week, but it all depends on the environmental conditions and the season.

  • Fertilizing

  • Cattleyas can survive without fertilizing. However, it is advisable to use nitrogen-based fertilizers without urea; fertilizers must be applied during the growth season. To avoid salt accumulation in the substrate, water thoroughly between fertilizer applications.

References