Cattleya 3

Cattleya, or the Queen of Orchids (Cattleya)

This refined and stunningly beautiful Cattleya, rightly known around the world as the "Queen of Orchids", is a true embodiment of luxury and tropical elegance. Unlike the commonly found phalaenopsis orchids, cattleyas stand out with their unique growth habit (they produce shoots, or pseudobulbs) and exceptionally large, expressive, and often wonderfully fragrant flowers. This elegant, prestigious, and visually striking houseplant will add a romantic, distinctly exotic, and colorful touch of nature to any interior. It is a desirable and highly valuable gift for orchid collectors, flowering-plant enthusiasts, and anyone with an eye for beauty who appreciates nature’s works of art!

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

• ☀️ Light: Bright but indirect light. For a cattleya to bloom, it needs plenty of light (more than ordinary orchids), but it must be protected from scorching southern sunlight. An east- or west-facing windowsill is ideal. Important indicator: healthy cattleya leaves should be light green, not dark green! Dark green leaves indicate that the plant lacks sufficient light to form flower buds.

• 💧 Watering: Thorough but infrequent! Cattleyas are epiphytes whose roots need to breathe. Between waterings, the growing medium (usually pine bark) should be allowed to dry out almost completely. It is best to submerge the pot in lukewarm water for 10–15 minutes and then allow all excess water to drain away completely. The plant’s roots must never be left standing in water, or they will rot very quickly.

• 🌡️ Temperature/Humidity: It enjoys warmth during the day and slightly cooler air at night—these temperature fluctuations stimulate blooming. It will be very grateful for increased air humidity. You can place it on a pebble tray with water or next to a humidifier, but the plant itself, especially the flowers, should not be misted to avoid fungal diseases.

• 🐾 Pets: Pet-friendly. This refined tropical beauty is non-toxic and completely safe to have in your home with cats and dogs!

🏠 BEST ROOM:

• A bright living-room windowsill (east- or west-facing, where the plant will receive morning or afternoon sunlight).

• A bathroom with a large window (an absolutely ideal environment if it naturally has elevated humidity from showers and plenty of light).

• A bright bedroom (as a stunning, safe, and often fragrant accent in the morning light).

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Height: 15-20 cm

• Pot diameter: 12 cm

⚠️ Note: Plants are living organisms, so each specimen may differ slightly from the one shown in the image. It is important to remember the specific growth habit of cattleyas: they bloom only from new, mature shoots (pseudobulbs). Once an old bulb has finished blooming, it will not bloom again, but it must not be cut off, as it serves as an energy and water reserve for growing new shoots! Only completely dried-out and yellow leaves or bulbs may be cut off. The growing medium must be airy—cattleyas must not be planted in ordinary houseplant soil!