Cattleya trianae var. tipo
Cattleya trianae var. tipo
Cattleya trianae var. tipo ‘Henningtons’ x var. tipo ‘Radiance’
Cattleya trianae, commonly known as the Christmas Orchid, is a stunning tropical epiphyte orchid native to Colombia. Renowned for its lavender-white blooms and succulent light green leaves, this orchid adds a touch of exotic beauty to any collection. This particular hybrid, ‘Henningtons’ x ‘Radiance’, is noted for its vibrant pink color and fragrant flowers, making it a prized specimen among orchid enthusiasts.
Key Features:
- Botanical Name: Cattleya trianae var. ‘Henningtons’ x var. ‘Radiance’
- Common Name: Christmas Orchid
- Native Habitat: Colombia, South America
- Plant Size: Blooming size in a 5" pot, approximately 1 to 2 years to bloom
- Leaf Color: Light green (lime green when light levels are optimal)
- Flower Color: Lavender-white with a hint of yellow, blue, and red on the lip
- Growth Habit: Epiphytic, growing in the branches of tall jungle trees
Cultivation Tips:
Light Requirements: Cattleya trianae thrives in bright, indirect light. For optimal growth and flowering, aim for a light intensity of around 5,000 foot-candles. A south-facing window is ideal. Dark leaves indicate insufficient light, while optimal light conditions result in lime green leaves.
Temperature and Humidity: This orchid prefers warm temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. High humidity is crucial; maintain this by placing the plant on a saucer filled with medium-sized pebbles and water, ensuring the pot never sits in water. Misting in the morning can also help maintain humidity levels, allowing leaves to dry before nightfall.
Watering: Water the orchid once a week, letting the potting mix almost dry out between waterings. Avoid letting the mix fully dry out. The best method is to place the pot in a sink and run a gentle stream of lukewarm water through it for about a minute. Ensure thorough drainage before returning the pot to its place.
Potting and Soil: Use a quick-draining, open rooting compost such as coarse redwood or fir bark, or an epiphytic orchid mix. This ensures proper air and water circulation around the roots, preventing root rot. Repotting is typically needed every two years in spring or just before new root growth, especially if the rhizome extends over the pot edge or the potting medium decomposes and drains poorly.
Fertilization: Fertilize the orchid regularly after watering with a balanced fertilizer. Apply at half strength twice a month or at quarter strength weekly.
Additional Care: The plant consists of three main parts: thick, fleshy rhizomes, one or two leaves, and pseudobulbs. The pseudobulbs, which are 1-3 inches thick, store food and water and bear the flowers on single, naked stems. Divide the plant only if each division will have at least 4-5 pseudobulbs to ensure healthy growth and blooming.
This is a blooming size orchid in a 5" pot, about 1 to 2 years to bloom, grown from seed, limited!
Embrace the elegance of the Cattleya trianae ‘Henningtons’ x ‘Radiance’ in your collection and enjoy the spectacular and fragrant blooms that this easy-to-grow orchid offers. Limited stock available, so don't miss out on adding this exquisite orchid to your home!