Cattleya labiata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAT-lee-yuh lay-bee-AH-ta
- Description
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Crimson Cattleya is a purple-pink flowering orchid native to Brazil.
These plants grow best in bright, indirect light; the leaves will be lime green in color when the light levels are optimal. A south-facing window works well and most will need 5,000 fc light intensity to flower consistently (full, direct sunlight is approximately 10,000 fc by comparison). They tolerate temperatures between 60 and 90 F and prefer higher humidity levels. Let the potting mix mostly dry out between waterings, but never let it fully dry. Only divide if there will be least 4-5 pseudobulbs per division.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cattleya
- Species:
- labiata
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Lipped
- Flower Description:
- A terminal raceme, only one stalk growing per pseudobulb. The inflorescence is enclosed in a sheath to support the weight of the flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves emerge from pseudobulbs and are thick, waxy, and leathery. The venation is parallel and the midveins are deeply impressed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
