Cattleya aclandiae

Also known as: Lady Ackland's Cattleya or Cattleya aclandiae h.f. semialba Cattleya aclandiae h.f. albescens Cattleya aclandiae h.f. maculata Cattleya aclandiae h.v. schilleriana Cattleya aclandiae h.v. maxima Cattleya aclandiae h.f. nigrescens Cattleya aclandiae h.f. suavissima Cattleya aclandiae h.v. Floralia Cattleya aclandiae var. alba Cattleya aclandiae h.f. coerulea Cattleya aclandiae f. alba Cattleya aclandiae var. salmonea Cattleya aclandiae var. grandiflora Cattleya acklandiae in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Bahia - Brazil

General Information

Lady Ackland's Cattleya is a sympodial intermediate to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil. It is named after the Engish Orchid Enthusiast in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 7-20cm. Each new growth has numerous thick elliptic leaves that grow to 5-8cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5-20cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Spring

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant. The fragrance can be described as faint and spicy

Blooming Season

• Spring

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Spaghnum Moss

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

These orchids grow in cool climates, at low altitudes, in cool plains, forests or coastal scrub.

They are forgiving of humidity variances as long as temperatures are kept on the cool side. They can do well outdoors in the garden in cool and temperate areas, though it is important that they are protected from warm dry winds. They can enjoy morning sun especially in winter but will need protection from the hot sun in the afternoon and during summer. With some acclimatisation they may be able to receive more sun.

 

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 29mm to 132mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in July. Humidity ranges from 76% to 83%, highest in October and lowest in June. Temperature ranges from 19C to 29C, highest in July (22C to 29C) and lowest in January (19C to 25C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Mist during hot weather

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. This plant is sensitive so apply fertiliser sparingly at one quarter recommended strength or less. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer. Reduce fertiliser when plant is dormant during Spring.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

This plant does well mounted to Tree trunks, Fern slabs or Cork slabs.