How to prune false cattleya
About the pruning methods and precautions of false cattleya and cattleya, as well as the introduction of related green plants and flowers, let's understand together.
False cattleya, also known as Easter cactus, Qingming crab claw orchid, bright red cactus, and Lianye cactus, is a small epiphytic, perennial, flowering plant in the false cattleya genus of the cactus family. Native to the Brazilian highland, the plant resembles crab claw orchid, with wider and thicker stem nodes than cacti, and the radiant terminal flowers are larger, most of which have false double petals with a neat corolla.
I. Botanical Characteristics
The plant of false cattleya is small, about one foot tall, often drooping and lying low. It looks similar to crab claw orchid and cacti in shape.
The main stem is nearly round and prone to xylemization. There are many green, oblong, flat-topped branches with red edges, and the new stem nodes are slightly red.
The spines of false cattleya are mostly between the nodes, with bristles.
The scarlet bell-shaped flowers are terminal on the stem nodes, with a neat corolla and a short flower tube. The blooming period is later than that of crab claw orchid and cacti, usually in March to April. The single flower period lasts nearly a week, and the whole plant's blooming period can reach more than a month.
Many varieties of false cattleya are bred using rose red false cattleya as the parent. The flower diameter can reach 6 cm, with neatly arranged, pointed star-shaped petals that are bright and rich in color.
II. Growth, Development, and Cultivation Management Tips
The cultivation management measures for false cattleya are similar to those for crab claw orchid. Generally, you can refer to the cultivation management methods of crab claw orchid mentioned earlier.
1. Potting Soil Preparation
When potting false cattleya, the potting soil is usually a mixture of 3 parts peat or humus soil, 1 part river sand or perlite, and a small amount of decomposed organic base fertilizer.
2. Temperature and Light Management
False cattleya prefers a semi-shaded, well-ventilated, moist, and cool environment. The suitable growth temperature is between 15-25°C, and the ambient temperature in winter should not be lower than 10°C. In summer, about 50% shade is required.
False cattleya may enter a forced dormancy state under high temperatures and drought, with a significant decrease in root absorption capacity. Compared to crab claw orchid, it has poor tolerance to high temperatures and drought, and the management level needs to be improved accordingly.
3. Water and Fertilizer Control
In summer, attention should be paid to avoiding rain and waterlogging management for false cattleya. The plant requires sufficient but not excessive water throughout its growing period.
About 2-3 weeks after the blooming period, it enters a dormancy period, during which water should be controlled. After the dormancy period, gradually increase the amount of watering to keep the potting soil slightly moist.
In winter, when the temperature is below 15°C, water and fertilizer should also be controlled.
False cattleya also prefers a moist environment and can be misted on the plant stand and ground to increase humidity during cultivation.
4. Propagation Methods
For home cultivation of false cattleya, the commonly used propagation methods are also cutting and grafting.
(1) Cutting
For single-layer pot cultivation expansion, cutting is often used. Detailed rules can refer to the cutting method of crab claw orchid mentioned earlier.
(2) Grafting
For multi-layer elevated pot cultivation expansion, grafting is commonly used. Cacti plants are often used as rootstocks. Multiple flower colors can be grafted onto one rootstock. Relevant details can also refer to the grafting method of crab claw orchid mentioned earlier.
III. Variety Introduction
In the breeding of false cattleya varieties, most are obtained through hybrid breeding. Commonly cultivated varieties mainly include: (with pictures)
1. White-faced - mostly blooming white flowers.
2. Red Queen - blooming chestnut red flowers.
3. Spring Light - mostly blooming pink flowers.