Crimson Cattleya Cattleya labiata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cattleya warocqueana
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAT-lee-yuh lay-bee-AH-ta
- Description
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Crimson cattleya is an epiphytic, tropical herbaceous perennial member of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is native to seasonally dry areas of Brazil. The species epithet, labiata, means “lipped” and refers to the showy lip on this orchid flower.
The cultural conditions for the crimson cattleya are the same as for other cattleya orchids.
The crimson cattleya is unifoliate, meaning it has just one leaf per pseudobulb. It flowers from the current season’s growth. The flower buds emerge from the sheath about two months after the pseudobulb and leaf have matured. The crimson cattleya is highly variable in flower color and form throughout its range. Numerous color forms and varieties have been named, but these are no longer treated as distinct from the species. It has been much used in hybridization, imparting flower color, lip color pattern, flower shape, size and substance to its hybrid offspring.
The crimson cattleya is grown as a greenhouse plant or houseplant. It can be grown outside in the summer.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: If kept outside, the plant may be attacked by slugs, snails, thrips, scale insects and mealybugs. Search the plant periodically for spider mites. They can be problematic when the humidity is too low.
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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cattleya
- Species:
- labiata
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil
- Distribution:
- cultivated worldwide.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- 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:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Rubbery
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- 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 Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Specimen