Cattleya harrisoniana

Also known as: Harrison's Cattleya or Cattleya harrisoniana h.v. martinellii Cattleya harrisoniana h.f. violacea Cattleya harrisoniana h.f. suave Cattleya harrisoniana h.f. coerulea Cattleya harrisoniana h.f. aquinii Cattleya harrisoniana h.f. alba-aquinii Cattleya harrisonii Cattleya papeiansiana Cattleya concolor Cattleya harrisoniana f. alba Cattleya brownii Cattleya loddigesii var. harrisoniae Cattleya harrisoniae in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Brazil

General Information

Harrison's Cattleya is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 23-30cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic leaves that grow to 5-12cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-30cm

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear throughout the year

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Spring
• Summer
• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

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.

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 to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 28mm to 201mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 80% to 84%, highest in September and lowest in January. Temperature ranges from 12C to 28C, highest in July (19C to 28C) and lowest in January (12C to 23C).

Watering

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

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 Cork slabs.