Cattleya Orchids

Cattleya orchids typically feature showy, fragrant flowers that come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and color combinations. Many of the species sport quite large blooms that stretch several inches across while others have smaller less attractive blooms. Cattleya orchids usually only flower once a year with the timeframe varying by species, though some hybrids, especially those crossed with Laelia orchids, have been cultivated to bloom more than once.

These orchids are epiphytic, meaning they naturally grow attached to other plants, such as tree branches. Their foliage is typically a dull green color. The plants grow from pseudobulbs, which store nutrients and water. Cattleya orchids are generally long-lived plants and slow growers, taking roughly between four and seven years to mature. The best time to plant these orchids is once new growth appears after they're done flowering. Seeds generally can be started at any point.

Cattleya is a genus of orchids from Costa Rica south to Argentina.