How to Grow Cattleya Orchids Under Lights

Orchids are much easier to grow than many people realize. Cattleya orchids are one of the easiest to grow in a nongreenhouse setting. They don't need the full, intense sunlight that many flowering plants need, but they do benefit from being grown under artificial lights. Once established, their large, showy, fragrant flowers will bloom all year long.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Cattleya orchids prefer bright indirect light. In the wild they take up residence on the branches of trees under the dappled shade of leaves. For growing indoors under lights, place them 12 to 24 inches away from the grow lights.

2. Maintain daytime temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees F and nighttime temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees F for the healthiest plants and the most flowers. If you cannot maintain the higher end of this temperature range, grow them at the hottest temperature you can comfortably provide and adjust the nighttime temperature to be 10 to 15 degrees colder--but not colder than 55 degrees F.

3. Allow cattleya orchids to completely dry out and then water thoroughly. If you're unsure whether they need to be watered, wait another day.

4. Fertilize every 2 weeks with a water-soluble orchid fertilizer. If their soil is extra dry, water thoroughly the day before fertilizing to avoid burning their roots.

5. Plant orchids in a mixture of equal parts fir bark, hardwood charcoal and perlite. Cattleya orchids grow well in either plastic or clay pots, as long as there is a drainage hole in the bottom. Repot when the potting mixture begins to break down into smaller particles or when there appear to be more roots than growing medium in the pot.

References

• Cattleya Orchids.