Friday, December 08, 2017

Care Process For Cattleya Orchids

By Rebecca Allen


Cattleya are one the categories of a widespread variety of flowering plants which give out colorful blooms. Cattleya Orchids have different colored flowers due to the many species present. This genus obtained its name from an amateur, Mr. William Cattley, who was a horticulturist. In the past, they were used in occasions by women as decoration on their hair. Theses flowers are still attractive and have great fragrance. The requirements for proper tending are as follow.

Like any other plant, light affects their development. Too much exposure is harmful. The question comes about, just how much light is sufficient. This can be identified by the pigmentation of leaves. Dark green foliage indicates too much while yellow-green show the optimum. If no florets are produced, is a sign of excess exposure. Shade is needed for about seventy percent coverage. This provides a good shelter.

They are referred to as epiphytes. These makes water a large requirement factor. They have a continuous horizontal stem called the rhizome. This structure requires a lot of water to generate roots. The roots are adventitious in nature.

A pseodobulb appears and begins to rise upwards. It is a storage organ and it is from it that flowers will emerge when fully matured. When this happens, supply of water should be cut off. It should only be added when there is no more or when dry. The quantity should be checked regularly added otherwise the plant would die.

Potting should be done when they begin to throw out roots from the rhizome. The size should of the media should be large enough to allow a longer time to grow before reporting for at least two seasons. When performing the task of repotting, dead the roots are removed and the new ones exposed.

Nutrients are necessary. Little amounts are advised. When the nitrogenous nutrients are more, they must be removed by adding water. They also result to a vegetation like product and no florets and much worse, death of that plant. Monitoring throughout the evolving stage is necessary to administer the correct amounts.

Other aspects to consider are temperature, humidity and air movement. The genus originates from regions experiencing high temperatures but in the same place, they grow in higher attitudes which are cooler. Growing then at home, the temperature condition must be maintained. High temperatures damages young tips and exposure for a long time causes damage. Humidity and air movements must be controlled and maintained at optimum for best results.

They are the easier ones to grow of the floral family. Their hybrids exist and are capable of blooming twice per year. The normal species produce only once. They have different attractive colors and fragrance too although it should be noted that not all of them produce the sweet scents. The end product depends on the proper nurturing by the grower.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment