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Cattleya violacea - Winter Care Questions

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by DarleneJay, Oct 18, 2019.

  1. Oct 18, 2019 #1
    DarleneJay

    DarleneJay Well-Known Member

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    I have bloomed out one Cattleya violacea and it was gorgeous. However the plant has since declined. It is still alive and making a come back but it will a while before it blooms again. I think the cooler winter temperatures in my growing area are causing problems or, at minimum, not helping my cause. Over the winter, it is not unusual for my indoor growing area to be in the upper 50s to low 60 at night. I have read this species bulks at less than 65 degree low.

    If anyone is growing this species in temperate climates, I would love to hear how you are growing it, especially over the winter. I need to figure out if I need to keep my Cattleya violacea warmer (or drier) over the winter or do I need to rehome them :(.

    Back in 2013, I purchased a small Cattleya violacea 4N seedling from Orchids Limited. It is continuing to grow but has been slow to mature. I really want to see it bloom one day. Last year the one bud blasted. This year it did not even try to bloom.

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  2. Oct 18, 2019 #2
    DPfarr

    DPfarr Well-Known Member

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    If not warm. DRY with good air movement. Bright I don’t know is better. I’ve a few in very different light locations that flower. I think the common factors in the dead ones is 1)it was a coerulea 2)it was not dry during winter or stayed wet too long in general.
     
  3. Oct 18, 2019 #3
    Ricardo

    Ricardo Slave of demanding bird

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    I have not had this species, but in an article I read in the AOS Bulletin back in the eighties, the writer attributed the decline of its plant to the low temperatures. The temperatures in your growing area in winter are comparable to the rarest of record lows in the habitat of this species, so in its habitat it would probably never be exposed to such temperatures for more than a few hours on extremely rare occasions.
     
  4. Oct 18, 2019 #4
    Ricardo

    Ricardo Slave of demanding bird

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  5. Oct 19, 2019 #5
    DarleneJay

    DarleneJay Well-Known Member

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    Thank you both! I assumed that the night temperatures were too low but was hoping there was even more flexibility. For example my Cattleya luteola does just fine in these conditions.

    I will have to get more creative with my violacea placement to keep it warmer. Hmm... I also appreciate the reminder on the dryish rest!