Let’s talk about one of the most glamorous flowers you can grow in your home: orchids (Cattleya). Known as the “Queen of Orchids,” these plants produce some of the most spectacular, fragrant blooms imaginable.
I inherited my first Cattleya from my grandmother, and nurturing it back to bloom sparked a lifelong passion. I’m excited to share my simple, family-friendly tips to help you grow these beauties successfully.
Why Cattleya Orchids are So Special
Cattleyas are famous for their large, showy flowers that were once the go-to for prom corsages! Their stunning colors and often incredible fragrance can fill a room. The feeling of seeing a Cattleya you’ve cared for finally open its blooms is a reward like no other.
Getting to Know Your Cattleya Orchid
Understanding the basics of your plant is the first step to helping it thrive. Knowing its parts and where it comes from will make you a much more confident orchid parent!
The “Corsage Orchid”: A Brief History
For a long time, Cattleya orchids were known as the “corsage orchid.” Their big, fancy flowers were the most popular choice for proms and formal events. These stunning plants come from the tropical forests of Central and South America, where they grow high up on trees. This little fact helps explain a lot about how we should care for them.
Key Parts of a Cattleya
Your Cattleya has a few special parts. Knowing what they are will help you understand what your plant is doing.
- Pseudobulbs: These are the swollen, stem-like parts at the base of the leaves. They store water and nutrients, helping the orchid survive dry periods.
- Rhizome: This is the horizontal stem that connects the pseudobulbs. The plant grows forward along the rhizome.
- Sheath: This is a papery sleeve that forms at the top of a new pseudobulb. The flower buds grow inside, protected by the sheath.
- Roots: The thick, white roots love air! They are designed to grip tree bark, not sit in dense soil.
Popular Cattleya Types and Hybrids
There are many kinds of Cattleya orchids, but they generally fall into two groups. Unifoliate Cattleyas have one leaf per pseudobulb and tend to have fewer, but very large, flowers. Bifoliate Cattleyas have two leaves and often produce clusters of smaller, waxy flowers.
You can find them in almost any color. Classic purples and whites are always beautiful, but modern hybrids come in vibrant yellows, oranges, deep reds, and even spotted patterns.
The Perfect Home: Cattleya Care Essentials
Creating the right environment for your Cattleya orchid is the secret to its success. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds! Once you get the hang of these four key things, you’ll be well on your way.
Light: The Most Important Ingredient
If there’s one thing Cattleyas need, it’s plenty of bright, indirect light. Think of the dappled sun they’d get under a tree canopy. An east-facing window that gets gentle morning sun is perfect. A south or west-facing window can also work, as long as you use a sheer curtain to protect the plant from harsh, direct sun.
Your orchid’s leaves will tell you if the light is right! They should be a medium, grassy green. If they’re dark green, it needs more light. If they’re turning yellowish, it’s getting too much.
Watering Your Cattleya Orchid
The best way to water is to “drench and dry.” When it’s time to water, take the plant to the sink and let lukewarm water run through the pot for about a minute. This soaks the roots and washes away any built-up fertilizer salts.
The most important part is to let the potting mix dry out almost completely before watering again. Never let your orchid sit in a saucer of water! You can tell it’s dry by lifting the pot—it will feel very light. A soggy Cattleya is an unhappy Cattleya, as wet roots can lead to rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Cattleya orchids enjoy the same temperatures we do, typically between 70-85°F (21-29°C) during the day. What really helps them bloom is a temperature drop of about 10-15°F (5-8°C) at night. Most homes naturally have this temperature shift.
They also love humidity. To give them a boost, you can place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water (just make sure the pot isn’t touching the water). Grouping plants together also helps raise the humidity around them.
Feeding Your Orchid for Strong Growth
During the growing season—spring and summer—it’s good to feed your orchid regularly. A balanced orchid fertilizer works great. I follow the “weakly, weekly” rule: mix the fertilizer to one-quarter or one-half of the recommended strength and use it every time you water.
When fall and winter arrive, the plant’s growth slows down. During this rest period, you should reduce feeding to once a month or stop altogether until you see new growth in the spring.
Encouraging Beautiful Blooms
The ultimate reward for any orchid grower is seeing those beautiful flowers. Getting your Cattleya to bloom year after year isn’t about some secret magic trick; it’s about giving the plant the right signals that it’s time to show off.
The Secret to Reblooming Your Cattleya
Getting your Cattleya orchid to rebloom comes down to a few key things. First and foremost is giving it enough bright, indirect light to build up energy. Second, it needs that consistent 10-15°F drop in temperature at night. Finally, the plant has to be mature enough to flower. If you are providing good light, water, and food, you are already well on your way to success!
What is a Flower Sheath?
The first exciting sign of potential flowers is the “flower sheath.” This looks like a flat, papery sleeve that grows out of the top of a new pseudobulb. Inside this protective covering, the tiny flower buds are forming. Sometimes a sheath stays green for months, and sometimes it turns brown and dry. Don’t panic and cut off a brown sheath! The buds are often still developing safely inside and will emerge when they are ready.
Caring for Your Orchid After It Blooms
Once the last gorgeous flower has faded and dropped, you can clean up the plant. Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors to snip off the old, dry flower stem near the top of the pseudobulb. After blooming, the plant will usually take a short rest. Before you know it, you should see a new pseudobulb starting to grow from the base, which is the beginning of the next cycle and your next chance for beautiful blooms.
Repotting and Dividing Your Cattleya Orchid
Repotting can feel like a big step, but it’s essential for keeping your Cattleya orchid healthy and happy in the long run. Think of it as giving your plant a fresh, new home with more room to grow!
When to Repot Your Orchid
You’ll know it’s time to repot when you see a few key signs. The most obvious is when the new pseudobulbs start growing over the edge of the pot. Another reason is when the orchid bark in the pot starts to break down and feel mushy. Generally, you should plan to repot your Cattleya every two to three years.
Choosing the Right Pot and Mix
Cattleya orchids need excellent drainage. Use a coarse-grade orchid bark mix, which allows for plenty of air around the roots. For pots, you have options. Terracotta pots are great because they dry out quickly, reducing the risk of rot. Plastic orchid pots with lots of slots also work well and hold moisture a bit longer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Repotting and Dividing
The best time to repot is right when you see new roots starting to grow. Here’s a simple guide:
- Gently remove the orchid from its old pot. You may need to wiggle it a bit.
- Carefully clean away all the old potting mix from the roots. Snip off any dead roots, which will be brown and mushy.
- If your plant is large enough, you can divide it. Use clean scissors to cut the rhizome, making sure each new piece has at least three or four healthy pseudobulbs.
- Place the plant in the new pot with the oldest pseudobulbs against one side. This gives the new growth room to expand.
- Fill the pot with fresh, moist orchid bark, tapping the pot to help the mix settle.
- Wait about a week before watering to allow any cut roots to heal.
FAQ: Your Cattleya Questions Answered
Here are some of the most common questions I get asked about growing these beautiful orchids. Let’s clear them up so you can grow with confidence!
Where is the best place to put a Cattleya orchid?
The best spot for a Cattleya orchid is somewhere it can get several hours of bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is often perfect. A south-facing window can also work if you have a sheer curtain to soften the light. They also appreciate good air movement, but try to keep them away from direct drafts from vents.
Do Cattleya orchids like sun or shade?
They actually like something right in the middle! Direct, hot sun will burn their leaves, but putting them in deep shade will stop them from blooming. The goal is to give them bright, filtered sunlight. Think of the kind of light that would peek through the leaves of a tree in the rainforest—that’s what they love.
Do Cattleya orchids like water?
Cattleya orchids love a good, thorough watering, but they absolutely hate for their roots to stay wet for a long time. The most important rule is to let the potting mix dry out almost completely before you water it again. Overwatering is one of the fastest ways to harm an orchid, so when in doubt, it’s better to wait another day.
How often do Cattleya orchids bloom?
A healthy and mature Cattleya orchid will usually bloom once a year. The exact timing depends on the specific type of Cattleya you have. Under perfect conditions, some might even surprise you with flowers twice a year! Each beautiful blooming period will typically last for a few weeks for you to enjoy.
A Final Word on Your Beautiful Orchids
There’s something so satisfying about watching these orchids (Cattleya) grow and bloom. It’s a little piece of the rainforest right in your home. My husband loves seeing them on the windowsill when he gets home, and the kids get so excited when a new flower sheath appears. Don’t be intimidated—with a little patience, you can enjoy these gorgeous flowers, too. Happy growing