How to Care for a Cattleya Orchid

Cattleya orchids are tropical flowers that like warmth and humidity.

Orchids from the genus Cattleya, also known as corsage orchids, are the type most commonly grown at home. Their variety of colors -- including white, yellow, lavender and blue -- as well as their fragrance adds to their popularity. As with all orchids, they are relatively low maintenance, as long as they have the proper set up in a cozy, humid environment.

Things You'll Need

• Tray
• Gravel (moistened)
• Diluted fertilizer

Instructions

1. Place your cattleya orchid in a sunny east- or west-facing window. Unlike low-light orchids, cattleyas like bright light and sunshine, though they may require a sheer curtain to shade them from intense midday sun if placed in a south-facing window. If you prefer to use artificial lights, the University of Tennessee recommends four 40-watt fluorescent bulbs and two 40-watt incandescent bulbs.

2. Keep daytime temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with 15 to 20 degree drop in temperature at night. This encourages flowering, as it mimics natural, tropical conditions.

3. Keep humidity at 50 to 80 percent. Use a humidifier, place the orchid in a bathroom window or set the orchid -- still in its pot -- on a tray filled with moist gravel.

4. Water your orchid when the soil dries out completely. Because cattleya orchids store water, they don't need frequent waterings. Once a week should suffice. Allow the water to drain out the bottom, and never let the orchid sit in soggy soil.

5. Fertilize every week with diluted fertilizer with an equal ratio -- such as 10-10-10 -- while the orchid is growing. If the orchid is planted in tree bark, use a nitrogen-rich formula, such as 30-10-10. Refrain from fertilizing during dormant periods.

6. Repot your cattleya orchid every two to three years.

Tips & Warnings

• If you mist your orchids, do so in the morning so they have a chance to dry off before nightfall. This helps prevent fungus and disease.

• Keep a fresh air flow into the room where your orchid lives to encourage health.

References

• University of Tennessee: Agricultural Extension Service: Growing Orchids in the Home
• Colorado State University Extension: Plant Talk: Orchid: Cattleya