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Cattleya is often confused with:
Cattleya trianae Flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cattleya forbesii Flower
Cattleya labiata Flower
Cattleya trianae Flower
Cattleya has some common insect problems:
Boisduval Scale
Hemispherical Scale
Greenhouse Thrips
Cattleya has some other problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants
False Spider Mites

Cattleya

Previously known as:

  • Cattleyella
  • Sophronitis
  • x Sophrocattleya
Phonetic Spelling
KAT-lee-yuh
Description

The queen of orchids, corsage orchid, cattleya or cat orchid is an epiphytic, tropical herbaceous perennial in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is native to the American tropics, from Costa Rica to Argentina. The genus name commemorates British horticulturist and orchid enthusiast William Cattley (1788–1835).

Given the right conditions, cattleyas grow readily. They require a special potting medium, which is usually based on coarsely chopped redwood or fir bark. Some growers have success using inorganic, kiln-fired materials. The medium should be allowed to dry completely between waterings. Good air circulation is as important as proper light and humidity. An east- or west-facing window is best. Direct sun will burn the leaves. A leaf with the right amount of sun is mid-green. A dark leaf indicates insufficient sunlight. The temperatures must be between 70 to 85 degrees F during the day and 55 to 60 degrees F at night. The humidity must be above 50%. This can be achieved by placing a baking dish or saucer filled with pebbles under the plant. Add water to the saucer below the surface of the pebbles and set the potted orchid on the surface of the pebbles. Refill the saucer as necessary. Water the plant by placing it in a sink and running lukewarm water through the pot until it flows out the drain holes. Let the pot drain well before returning it to its place. Do not use salt-softened water or water colder than 50 degrees F. Do not use ice cubes. Fertilize regularly after watering with a balanced fertilizer twice a month at half strength or weekly at quarter strength. Repot as needed (usually every two years) in spring or just before new roots sprout from the rhizome. Repotting is needed when the rhizome of the plant protrudes over the edge of the pot or when the potting medium breaks down and drains poorly. The plant can be divided during repotting as long as each division has at least three healthy, plump pseudobulbs. 

The plant has four main parts – roots, the rhizome, the pseudobulbs and the leaves. In nature, the rhizome creeps along a tree limb producing roots and pseudobulbs. In cultivation, the rhizome should be on the surface of the potting medium. Pseudobulbs are swollen stems that grow upright from the rhizome and bear one or two leaves (the Unifoliate and Bifoliate cattleyas, respectively). The pseudobulbs store water (which allows the plant to withstand droughts) but eventually shrivel after their leaves drop. The leaves are thick and leathery. Flowers are produced from the top of the pseudobulb, at the base of the leaf or leaves. A few species produce them from stalks originating at the base of the pseudobulb. Flowers come in many colors. The lip is often of a contrasting color. 

Having been avidly and recklessly collected during the 19th century, cattleyas are now on the CITES Appendix II. Wild-collected plants must be shunned by the consumer, as the collection of the plants from the wild is often done illegally. Fortunately, cattleyas are readily propagated from seed or by tissue culture. They have been hybridized extensively, and most cattleyas in cultivation are hybrids, often involving other closely related genera. Some common intergeneric hybrids are Brassocattleya (= Brassavola × Cattleya), Brassolaeliocattleya (= Brassavola × Laelia × Cattleya), Cattleytonia (= Cattleya × Broughtonia), Cattlianthe = [Cattleya × Guarianthe], Epicattleya (= Cattleya × Epidendrum) and Rhyncholaeliocattleya (= Cattleya × Rhyncholaelia). The genus Sophronitis is now treated as a synonym of Cattleya, so the hybrid Sophrocattleya is now Cattleya and is no longer considered to be intergeneric.

Cattleya orchids are grown as greenhouse plants or houseplants. They can be grown outside in the summer.

Quick ID:

  • Thin pseudobulbs that emerge from the rhizome
  • Thick, waxy leaves
  • Colorful, classic corsage orchid with a prominent lip

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, which are especially problematic if the humidity is too low.

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth 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:
C. forbesii, C. labiata, C. mossiae, C. trianae
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#houseplant#specimen#colorful#epiphytic#hanging baskets#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#orchid#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#hsc#hsc-fl#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
C. forbesii, C. labiata, C. mossiae, C. trianae
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#houseplant#specimen#colorful#epiphytic#hanging baskets#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#orchid#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#hsc#hsc-fl#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cattleya
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical New World, Costa Rica to Argentina
    Distribution:
    cultivated worldwide
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
  • 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
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Lipped
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    The inflorescence usually contains 2 to 5 flowers in a terminal raceme, though some species have tens of flowers per inflorescence. Only one stalk grows per pseudobulb. The inflorescence is enclosed in a sheath to support the weight of the flowers. The flowers are large and brightly colorful, most being between 4 to 10 inches with some species as small as 2 inches. The segments of the flower are usually wide. The lips will often contrast in color with the rest of the flower.
  • 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, one to two leaves per bulb. They are thick, waxy, and leathery, ranging from 4 to 15 inches in length and 3 inches wide. The venation is parallel and the midveins are deeply impressed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen