How to Cultivate and Care for the Cattleya Orchid
Let me tell you a little about the introduction of the Cattleya orchid in terms of green plants and flowers, and then I will share more information with you.
The plants of the cactaceae family, most of which bloom with an ethereal beauty and are very attractive, such as the previously introduced epiphyllum. However, many orchid enthusiasts feel that the white color of the epiphyllum is a bit regrettable. Today, I will introduce another plant from the cactaceae family, which has a rich variety of colors and is very beautiful. Its shape is like an arrow, and its flowers resemble a water lily, hence the name Cattleya orchid. Today's article focuses on how to cultivate the Cattleya orchid to make it bloom.
Cattleya Orchid Introduction
The Cattleya orchid is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, an epiphytic cactaceae plant, with many branches that form a shrub-like growth, reaching a height of 50-100 cm. The flowers grow from the sides of the stem nodes, with slender flower tubes, trumpet-shaped blooms that open during the day and close at night. Flower colors include purple-red, red, pink, magenta, yellow, white, and blue-purple.
The Cattleya orchid prefers a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight, is drought-resistant but not cold-tolerant, and enjoys loose, fertile, slightly acidic soil. It has average cold tolerance and is mainly cultivated in pots for ornamental purposes.
How to Cultivate and Care for the Cattleya Orchid
Some people find it difficult to care for the Cattleya orchid because they haven't mastered the correct cultivation methods. If you want the Cattleya orchid to grow well and bloom more, the following aspects should be emphasized during maintenance.
1. -- Loose and Fertile Soil --
The Cattleya orchid requires soil with good breathability and water permeability. It is recommended to use a mixture of 2 parts peat soil, 2 parts decomposed leaf soil, and 1 part perlite. When potting, bone meal can be added as a base fertilizer. Note that if using decomposed leaf soil from outdoors, it should be exposed to the sun for 2-3 days before use to kill bacteria and eggs in the soil.
2. -- Fertilization and Water Management --
After the Cattleya orchid enters the growing period in spring, attention should be paid to increasing fertilization and watering. A general growth fertilizer can be applied every 10-15 days, such as "Flower More 1," or fermented soybean cake fertilizer. In April, when the Cattleya orchid enters the bud formation stage, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can be increased, applying "Flower More 2" or monopotassium phosphate every 7-10 days to promote bud growth. May to July is usually the peak blooming period for the Cattleya orchid. During the hot summer season, the application of water-soluble fertilizers should be stopped, and controlled-release fertilizers can be applied less frequently.
In the fall, when the weather cools down, water-soluble growth fertilizers can be continued, and in the late fall, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be increased to help the plant survive the winter.
Watering the Cattleya orchid should follow the "dry-wet" principle. During the bud formation stage, the plant should be kept well-watered, but after flowering, watering should be moderately controlled. In winter, when temperatures are low, the Cattleya orchid is in a dormant state and watering should be controlled to keep the potting soil slightly on the drier side.
3. -- Light Control --
The Cattleya orchid enjoys a well-lit environment. It is recommended to maintain adequate light, as sufficient light promotes thicker leaf growth. However, during the hot summer, attention should be paid to shading or placing the plant in a north-facing阳台 for care.
4. -- Pruning --
The Cattleya orchid also requires pruning. If not pruned, it can grow quite tall. When cultivating in a pot, once the stems and leaves reach about 30 cm in length, the growing tip can be cut to limit its height. If you do not want to provide a trellis for the Cattleya orchid, you should also limit the growth of side buds after pruning to maintain a straight and uniform height and a more attractive plant shape.
5. -- Overwintering Management --
The Cattleya orchid has average cold tolerance and requires temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius to overwinter. Below 5 degrees Celsius, there is a risk of frost damage, and below 0 degrees Celsius, it may freeze to death. Therefore, except for the warm winter regions in the south, other areas need to be brought indoors for overwintering.
The above is an introduction to the Cattleya orchid, as well as specific methods and precautions for cultivating and caring for the Cattleya orchid. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited!