How to Care for Cattleya Schilleriana Pot Plant
Summary: This article discusses how to care for Cattleya Schilleriana pot plants and the correct watering methods for this type of plant. Keep reading to find out more!
Cattleya Schilleriana, a hybrid between epiphytic and terrestrial orchids, is cultivated in deep and narrow pots. Most varieties of Cattleya Schilleriana require high humidity for their roots to grow well, so the pot walls should not have too large holes.
The cultivation medium is also between epiphytic and terrestrial species. You can use water moss, coconut bran, broken bricks, stones, bark, etc., after cleaning. The key to planting Cattleya Schilleriana is to ensure that the pseudobulb is completely exposed above the planting material, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Planting two or more bulbs together in a pot is beneficial for flowering. The pH of the water used should be 6 for the best results.
Cattleya Schilleriana has a long blooming period, requiring 8 months from start to finish. The flower buds for the Spring Festival bloom begin to develop in early summer, so the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote flowering should start 8 months in advance. Meanwhile, it needs ample scattered light to grow strong. Insufficient light will result in瘦弱 pseudobulbs and make it difficult to produce flower spikes.
However, many orchid enthusiasts have asked: "I bought a Cattleya Schilleriana orchid before the Spring Festival, and it bloomed during the festival. But it didn't bloom again the following year, even though the leaves are green and the plant is healthy. No matter how I take care of it, it won't bloom. What could be the reason?" In fact, many orchid enthusiasts do not understand the growth and development habits of Cattleya Schilleriana and fail to cultivate it according to its characteristics. Next, I will share with you the reasons why Cattleya Schilleriana may not rebloom the second year and how to care for it after flowering.
Analysis of reasons why Cattleya Schilleriana may not bloom the second year:
1) Insufficient temperature difference
Cattleya Schilleriana thrives in cool climates and can only produce flower buds when the day-night temperature difference reaches more than 10 degrees. The whole process of flower bud differentiation and development can take up to 7 to 8 months. If the day-night temperature difference is interrupted for more than 20 days, the flower bud differentiation will stop. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the day-night temperature difference to achieve a second bloom in the following spring.
Solution: After the Cattleya Schilleriana finishes blooming, trim the flower spike close to the base, about 2 centimeters above, to prevent excessive consumption of nutrients in the pseudobulb. Then, from mid-March to early April, repot the orchid with fresh planting medium. The medium needs to be re-formulated and supplemented with well-rotted organic fertilizers such as egg nutrients or poultry manure.
2) Improper fertilization
Due to the long blooming period of Cattleya Schilleriana, which requires a total of 8 months, the flower buds for the Spring Festival begin to develop in early summer. Therefore, fertilization must be timely. However, excessive nitrogen fertilizer and insufficient phosphorus and potassium fertilizer will cause the plant to grow leaves excessively without flowering. Thus, it is necessary to focus on applying bloom-boosting fertilizers.
Solution: Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied 8 months in advance. Organic fertilizers should be made into 2-centimeter-diameter粪球状颗粒 from well-rotted bone meal or superphosphate and placed 30 granules on the surface of the pot, slowly releasing nutrients as water penetrates; each effective fertilization period should be about 1 month, with a total of 5 to 6 applications throughout the year. Inorganic fertilizers should primarily consist of monopotassium phosphate, with a concentration of 0.1% to 0.2%, applied weekly as a foliar spray or浇施 until one week before the Spring Festival blooming begins.
3) Inadequate lighting
Adequate lighting is beneficial for the differentiation and formation of flower buds in Cattleya Schilleriana, promoting reblooming. Insufficient light not only results in瘦弱 pseudobulbs and yellow leaves but also affects the development of flower buds, making it difficult to bloom again.
Solution: For Cattleya Schilleriana potted plants at home, they should be placed near a阳台 or south-facing window where they receive ample sunlight, with a daily exposure time of at least 4 hours to promote the formation of flower buds.
How to care for Cattleya Schilleriana after flowering?
1) Watering method
Cattleya Schilleriana lacks the ability to absorb moisture from the air and relies mainly on its roots to absorb water from the planting medium. Therefore, watering should be based on factors such as climate, humidity, light, and the moisture content of the medium, keeping the potting mix moist but not dry. Avoid over-dry or over-wet conditions to prevent empty roots or waterlogging and root rot. Cattleya Schilleriana prefers slightly acidic water and is sensitive to calcium and magnesium ions in the water. Rainwater is ideal for watering during the summer. The required humidity during the growing period should be maintained at around 70% to 80%.
To better promote the formation of flower buds, it is appropriate to give the plant a 10 to 15-day drought treatment during this period. After the flower bud differentiation is complete, which coincides with the summer, the key is to create a humid, cool, and well-ventilated environment. During the day, it should be placed in a cool, humid environment where the temperature does not exceed 30 degrees Celsius, with 50% shading. If there is too much shading, it will be difficult for flower buds to differentiate. The night temperature should be kept below 20 degrees Celsius, creating a large day-night temperature difference, which is conducive to the formation of flower buds.
2) Selection of planting medium
The planting medium for Cattleya Schilleriana should be slightly acidic, loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. For home potting, a mixture of 20% vermiculite, 30% coconut shell fragments, 20% broken brick particles, 20% ceramic soil, and 10% water moss can be used. It can also be mixed according to the needs of different varieties.
How to Care for Cattleya Schilleriana Pot Plant
4) Comprehensive fertilization
Cattleya Schilleriana prefers more fertilizer than other orchids. From March to September, nitrogen fertilizer should be the main focus, with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers as auxiliary. From October to before flowering, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be the main focus. New buds grown in spring should be fertilized with a moderate amount of nitrogen to promote strong growth in the fall. During the peak growing season at the end of spring, early summer, and early fall, apply 0.2% well-rotted cake fertilizer water or a mixture of 0.2% urea and 0.1% monopotassium phosphate every 1 to 2 months.
5) Pest and disease control
For home potting of Cattleya Schilleriana, it is best to place the pots elevated with good ventilation. Elevated pots allow wind to blow upwards from below the plant, dispersing the stagnant air in the pot and promoting vigorous growth. Good ventilation also helps promote growth and reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests. Especially when growing Cattleya Schilleriana indoors, poor ventilation can lead to infestations of scale insects, spider mites, and aphids, as well as the occurrence of white rot disease.
Pest control methods: Scale insects can be controlled by applying 2 grams of furantran in the soil or by spraying the plant with a 40%氧化乐果 emulsifiable concentrate or a 50% malathion solution diluted 800 times. Spider mites can be controlled by using a 0.05% solution of dimethyl propionic acid ester, diluted with 75-degree medical alcohol 200 to 500 milliliters, and sprayed on the affected areas of the pot and leaves for 3 to 4 consecutive days. Aphids can be controlled by soaking cigarette butts in water, then diluting the clear liquid with water and spraying it on the plant.
White rot disease control: White rot disease is a fungal disease. When Cattleya Schilleriana is affected by white rot, the pseudobulb becomes black and rotten, with white mycelium attached. This is a fungal disease that can be controlled by spraying the leaves with a 50% methyl thiophanate or carbendazim solution diluted 500 times and applying a 1% formalin solution to disinfect the soil.
In summary, the day-night temperature difference for Cattleya Schilleriana should be around 10 degrees. After the weather cools down in October, fertilize every half a month with a higher phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, focusing on light and frequent applications. After November, when the flower spikes have formed, remove all new buds. Tie the flower spikes to a bamboo pole with fine lead wire when they reach 15 centimeters in height. In the fall and winter, place the plant in a sunny location on the阳台 or indoors to allow it to accumulate more nutrients, promoting full and smooth flowering.
The above content introduces how to care for Cattleya Schilleriana pot plants and the correct watering methods. Hope it helps orchid enthusiasts!