Cattleya bicolor

Also known as: Bicolored Cattleya or Cattleya bicolor h.v. brasiliense Cattleya bicolor ssp. minasgeraensis h.f. punctatissima Cattleya bicolor h.f. semialba Cattleya bicolor h.f. albescens-punctata Cattleya bicolor ssp. brasiliensis h.f. punctata Cattleya bicolor h.f. tipo Cattleya bicolor h.f. punctatissima Cattleya bicolor h.f. punctata Cattleya bicolor h.f. coerulea Cattleya bicolor h.f. marginata Cattleya bicolor h.f. lisa Cattleya bicolor h.f. albescens Cattleya bicolor ssp. minasgeraensis Cattleya grossii Cattleya bicolor var. wrigleyana Cattleya bicolor h.v. canastrensis Cattleya bicolor ssp. canastrensis Cattleya bicolor ssp. minasgeriasensis Cattleya bicolor ssp. bicolor Cattleya bicolor h.f. brasiliensis Cattleya bicolor h.v. Duveenii Cattleya dupontii Cattleya bicolor var. splendida Cattleya bicolor var. olocheilos Cattleya measuresiana Cattleya bicolor f. alba Cattleya bicolor var. lewisii Cattleya bicolor var. grossii Cattleya bicolor h.v. brasiliensis Cattleya bicolor var. measuresiana Cattleya bicolor ssp. brasiliensis in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Sao Paulo - Brazil

General Information

Bicolored Cattleya is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 25-80cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic leaves that grow to 2.5-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 25-80cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Summer and Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Summer

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal

Care Notes

This orchid goes into a dormancy phase during winter, during this phase it is best not to provide water unless the plant is starting to look thirsty. The lack of water increases the chance of flowering in spring, and also reduces the likelihood of any rot forming. Do not resume watering until new growth has appeared and is growing strongly.

Often a period of intense growth occurs after dormancy. During this time the amount of light, water and fertiliser the plant receives will directly impact the amount of growth that occurs during this time, and in the case of seedlings, will reduce the time required to reach maturity.

It's recommended to heavily reduce the water amount at the middle to end of autumn to trigger dormancy. Leaves on older bulbs will begin to drop during this time while the newer bulbs continue to mature until terminal leaves appear at the tip of the pseudobulbs.

Repotting can be done any time of the year though it's best to do it in early spring when new growth is appearing as this also means new roots will appear to help the plant anchor into the new media and offset any damage to established roots during the repotting process.

 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 10mm to 180mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Temperature ranges from 11C to 28C, highest in August (19C to 28C) and lowest in January (11C to 22C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

Fertiliser

dormant-medium-demand-orchid Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. 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 very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Tree trunks, Fern slabs or Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.