If you want a houseplant with stunning flowers, look no further than the cattleya orchid. Known for its elegant and vibrant blooms, this orchid is a classic favorite for good reason. Its large, ruffled flowers come in incredible colors and fill a room with a wonderful fragrance. While they have a reputation for being tricky, with the right know-how, you can grow them successfully. This guide gives you clear, simple steps to help your cattleya thrive and flower beautifully.
Cattleya Orchid – Elegant and Vibrant Blooms
What makes these orchids so special? It’s all in the flower. Cattleya blossoms are large, often with a striking lip, or labellum, that contrasts with the other petals. They are the orchids you often see in corsages. Their colors range from pure white and soft pink to deep purple and bright yellow. Many are also fragrant, with a scent that can be sweet or spicy. When a cattleya is in bloom, it becomes the centerpiece of any space.
Choosing Your First Cattleya Orchid
Starting with a healthy plant is the best way to ensure success. Here’s what to look for when you’re shopping:
- Foliage: Leaves should be firm and a medium green color. Avoid plants with yellow, black-spotted, or wrinkled leaves.
- Roots: If possible, check the roots. Healthy roots are firm and white or green with silvery tips. Soft, brown, or mushy roots are a bad sign.
- Pseudobulbs: These are the swollen stem bases that store water. They should be plump, not shriveled or wrinkled.
- New Growth: Look for signs of a new lead (a growing shoot) or an emerging flower sheath. This means the plant is actively growing.
The Perfect Light for Flowering
Light is the most important factor in getting your cattleya to bloom. These orchids need bright, indirect light. Too little light, and they won’t flower. Too much direct sun, and the leaves will burn.
- Ideal Location: An east-facing window is perfect. A south or west window can work if you use a sheer curtain to filter the intense afternoon sun.
- Leaf Color Test: The leaves are your best guide. A healthy light green color means the light is good. Dark green leaves often mean not enough light. Yellowish or reddish leaves can signal too much direct sun.
Watering: The Soak and Dry Method
Overwatering is the fastest way to harm an orchid. Cattleyas like to dry out almost completely between waterings. Their thick pseudobulbs allow them to handle drought better than constant dampness.
- Water your orchid thoroughly until water runs freely from the drainage holes.
- Let all the excess water drain away completely. Never let the pot sit in a saucer of water.
- Wait to water again until the potting mix is nearly dry. You can check by sticking your finger about an inch into the mix, or by noting that the pot feels light.
Frequency changes with the seasons. You might water weekly in warm, bright summer weather, but only every two weeks in cooler, darker winter months.
Potting Mix and Repotting Basics
Cattleyas are epiphytes, meaning they naturally grow on trees, not in soil. They need a very airy, fast-draining mix. A common mix is coarse fir bark, often with added perlite or charcoal.
Repot your cattleya every 2-3 years, or when the potting medium starts to break down and become soggy. The best time to repot is when you see new roots just beginning to grow, usually after flowering. Here’s a quick guide:
- Gently remove the old potting mix from the roots.
- Trim away any dead or rotten roots with sterile clippers.
- Choose a pot that’s just big enough to hold the root mass with a little room for new growth. Cattleyas often prefer being slightly pot-bound.
- Position the oldest pseudobulbs against the edge of the pot, pointing the new growth toward the center. Fill in with fresh potting mix.
Humidity and Air Flow
These orchids enjoy humidity levels between 40-60%. In dry homes, you can place the pot on a tray of pebbles with water (keeping the pot above the water line). Good air movement is also crucial to prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. A gentle fan in the room can help a lot, but don’t point it directly at the plant.
Feeding for Strong Growth and Blooms
During their active growth period (spring and summer), feed your cattleya regularly. Use a balanced orchid fertilizer (like 20-20-20) but at half-strength. A good rule is to “feed weakly, weekly.” Water the plant first with plain water to wet the roots, then apply the fertilizer solution. This prevents root burn. Reduce feeding in the fall and winter when growth slows.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with great care, issues can pop up. Here’s how to handle common ones.
- No Flowers: This is almost always due to insufficient light. Gradually move your orchid to a brighter location.
- Wrinkled Pseudobulbs: This usually means underwatering or root loss. Check your roots. If they are healthy, increase your watering frequency slightly. If roots are bad, you’ll need to repot.
- Black or Brown Spots on Leaves: This can be sunburn (dry, crispy spots) or a fungal/bacterial issue (often softer, spreading spots). Move the plant out of direct sun for burn. For disease, cut away the affected area with a sterile tool and improve air circulation.
- Pests: Watch for scale (little brown bumps) or mealybugs (white cottony masses). Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
FAQ About Cattleya Orchids
How often do cattleya orchids bloom?
Most cattleyas bloom once a year, and their elegant and vibrant blooms can last for 3 to 6 weeks. Some hybrids may bloom more frequently.
Why are the leaves on my cattleya turning yellow?
A few yellow leaves on older pseudobulbs is normal. But many yellow leaves can mean overwatering, too much direct sun, or a need for fertilizer.
What is the best way to get my orchid to rebloom?
Ensure it gets enough bright light, follow the soak-and-dry watering method, and provide a slight temperature drop at night (about 10-15 degrees) in the fall, which can help initiate flower spikes.
Should I cut the flower spike after blooming?
Yes, once all the flowers have faded, you can cut the old flower spike off near its base. Use a sterile tool to make a clean cut.
Can I grow cattleyas outdoors?
Yes, in warm climates or during summer in temperate zones. They thrive in dappled shade on a patio or hung from a tree branch. Just bring them inside before nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).