Cattleya maxima

Also known as: The Greatest Cattleya or Cattleya maxima h.f. semialba-striata Cattleya maxima h.f. striata Cattleya maxima ssp. lowland Cattleya maxima h.f. rubra Cattleya maxima h.f. albescens Cattleya maxima h.f. semialba-tubular Cattleya maxima h.f. semialba Cattleya maxima h.v. malouana Cattleya maxima h.f. suave Cattleya maxima h.f. delicata Cattleya maxima h.f. concolor Cattleya maxima h.v. floribunda Cattleya maxima h.f. oculata Cattleya maxima h.f. venosa Cattleya maxima h.v. Vilcabamba Cattleya maxima ssp. alpina Epidendrum maximum Cattleya maxima var. backhousii Cattleya maxima var. hrubyana Cattleya malouana Cattleya maxima var. aphlebia Cattleya maxima var. marchettiana Cattleya maxima h.v. virginalis Cattleya maxima h.f. coerulea Cattleya maxima f. alba Cattleya maxima subvar. alba Cattleya maxima f. aphlebia in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Cajamarca - Peru Departamento de Tolima - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Provincia de Loja - Ecuador Provincia del Guayas - Ecuador

General Information

The Greatest Cattleya is a sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 60cm. Each new growth has a single leathery rigid leaf that grows to 15-30cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 30-60cm. The plant forms clusters over time

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark

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

The orchids are well adapted for hot weather, accompanied by sporadic, unpredictable rainfall and a generally dry climate. They can tolerate a lot of neglect as they are quite used to it, however they can be prone to underwatering and may collapse in cold, wet weather.

For this reason it's best to dedicate a sheltered, protected area for them where the watering can be controlled, such as a corner of a greenhouse or in a sheltered balcony. They can also do well hung near the roof of a shadehouse or sheltered greenhouse where they receive the extra heat but not as much water as other plants. 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 0mm to 147mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 55% to 69%, highest in September and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 8C to 27C, highest in February (12C to 27C) and lowest in January (8C to 25C).

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

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,

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots