Cattleya jenmanii

Also known as: Jenman's Cattleya or Cattleya jenmanii h.f. delicata Cattleya jenmanii h.f. semialba Cattleya jenmannii h.f. rubra Cattleya jenmanii h.f. aquinii Cattleya jenmanii h.f. coerulescens Cattleya jenmanii h.f. concolor Cattleya jenmanii h.f. jenmanii Cattleya jenmanii h.f. lineata Cattleya jenmanii h.f. orlata Cattleya jenmanii h.f. rubra Cattleya jenmanii h.f. orlata-pincelata Cattleya jenmanii h.f. coerulea Cattleya jenmanii h.f. alba in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Guyana

General Information

Jenman's Cattleya is a small sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Guyana.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 25-30cm. Each new growth has a single leathery rigid, elliptic, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 7-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2.5-18cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Summer and Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Summer

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

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.

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 to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 81mm to 244mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 77% to 89%, highest in June and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 15C to 29C, highest in February (18C to 29C) and lowest in September (15C to 27C).

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.

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,