Cattleya walkeriana

Also known as: Walker's Cattleya or Cattleya walkeriana h.f. punctata Cattleya walkeriana h.f. coerulescens Cattleya walkeriana h.f. labelloide Cattleya walkeriana h.f. marmorata Cattleya walkeriana h.f. pentapelorica Cattleya walkeriana h.f. semialba Cattleya walkeriana h.f. pseudopelorica Cattleya walkeriana h.f. rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. amoena Cattleya walkeriana h.f. rubra Cattleya walkeriana ssp. princeps h.f. coerulescens Cattleya walkeriana ssp. princeps Cattleya walkeriana h.f. venosa Cattleya walkeriana h.f. pérola Cattleya walkeriana h.f. striata Cattleya walkeriana h.f. rosea-striata Cattleya walkeriana h.f. flammea-semialba Cattleya walkeriana h.f. suavissima Cattleya walkeriana h.f. suave Cattleya walkeriana h.f. albescens Cattleya walkeriana h.f. rosea-lilacina Cattleya walkeriana h.f. delicata-rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. amena-suave Cattleya walkeriana h.f. orlata-semialba Cattleya walkeriana h.f. flammea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. vinicolor Cattleya walkeriana h.f. tipo Cattleya walkeriana h.f. marginata-rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. radians-rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. concolor Cattleya walkeriana h.f. flammea-lineata-rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. flammescens-rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. flammescens-lineata-rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. aquinii Cattleya walkeriana h.f. flammea-suave Cattleya walkeriana h.f. lineata-rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. clara Cattleya walkeriana flammea-suave Cattleya walkeriana flammea-rosea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. aquinii-semialba Cattleya walkeriana h.f. fantasia Cattleya walkeriana h.f. Feiticeira Cattleya walkeriana h.f. coerulea-semialba Cattleya walkeriana h.f. albescens-coerulea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. aquinii-suave Cattleya walkeriana h.f. perola-semialba Cattleya gardneriana Cattleya princeps Cattleya walkeriana var. princeps Cattleya bulbosa Epidendrum walkerianum Cattleya walkeriana h.v. walkeriana Cattleya walkeriana h.f. coerulea Cattleya walkeriana h.f. alba Cattleya walkeriana var. bulbosa in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Brazil

General Information

Walker's Cattleya is a sympodial warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 25cm. Each new growth has a single leathery rigid, elliptic, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 13cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 13cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Bark
• Spaghnum Moss

Care Notes

These orchids have a fine root system that can quickly die back if left dry for too long, but also does not like to be kept wet, so water regularly but ensure that the mix is dry before watering. 

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 10mm to 318mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 68% to 77%, highest in July and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 10C to 27C, highest in September (17C to 27C) and lowest in January (10C to 23C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

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.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a low Nitrogen fertiliser during Winter. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Winter.

Potting

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

This plant does well mounted to Tree trunks, Fern slabs or Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.