Cattleya lueddemanniana

Also known as: Lueddemann's Cattleya or Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. alba-rosea Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. mosca-semialba Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. aquinii Cattleya lueddemanniana var. stanleyi Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. pincelata Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. delicata-semialba Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. coerulescens Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. rubra Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. coerulea-flammea Cattleya lueddemanniana h.v. lueddemanniana Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. aquinii-semialba Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. flammea Cattleya speciosissima h.f. alba Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. delicata Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. venosa Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. vinicolor Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. russa-semialba Cattleya lueddemanniana h.v. lara Cattleya roezlii Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. concolor Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. semialba Cattleya dawsonii Epidendrum labiatum var. lueddemannianum Cattleya bassetii Cattleya lueddemanniana h.v. Schroederiana Cattleya lueddemanniana h.v. Malouana Cattleya lueddemanniana h.v. Lowii Cattleya lueddemanniana h.v. Buchananiana Cattleya speciosissima var. buchaniana Cattleya speciosissima Cattleya lueddemanniana var. alba Cattleya lueddemanniana f. alba Cattleya lueddemanniana h.f. coerulea Cattleya lueddemanniana h.v. Ernestii in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

Lueddemann's Cattleya is a medium sized sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae. It is named after the French Orchid Grower in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 40cm. Each new growth has a single leathery thick leaf that grows to 5-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 25cm

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Winter

Blooming Season

• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

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

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 5mm to 86mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 70% to 82%, highest in July and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 19C to 34C, highest in March (23C to 34C) and lowest in January (19C to 31C).

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.

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