Cattleya rex varieties?

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello all,

I was thinking of getting a Cattleya rex at some point. It seems that there are many subtypes.

I see ones called Moyobamba and others named Ayacucho. What is the difference between these and others and which is better for me?

[My Green Pets]

Hi there, here is a link to various photos of Cattleya rex from Peruflora's catalog. Ayacucho appears more yellow and red, where Moyobamba is more white, yellow, pink, lavender, and red.

Ayacucho is supposedly more heat and drought tolerant, with Moyobamba requiring more water, but I can't verify this personally.


I have been growing rex for 7 years, and I can say they are very sensitive to cool winter temperatures and water. You really have to keep days warm and let plants dry out between waterings in winter. I would definitely say they need to be watched closely. Not an easy orchid in the least.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by My Green Pets

Ayacucho appears more yellow and red, where Moyobamba is more white, yellow, pink, lavender, and red.

Ayacucho is supposedly more heat and drought tolerant, with Moyobamba requiring more water, but I can't verify this personally.

William, do you know if these are regional variants? Or do these varieties overlap in their ranges?

[My Green Pets]

The two ranges do not overlap to my knowledge.

Moyobamba city is in the north of Peru at close to 3,000 feet altitude. Ayacucho city is at 9,000 feet of elevation in the south of Peru, but the rexes are found at much lower elevations along a river. In fact, the Ayacucho variety is described as a lowland variety and the Moyobamba the highland variety, reminiscent of the lowland and highland varieties of maxima.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by My Green Pets

The two ranges do not overlap to my knowledge.

Moyobamba city is in the north of Peru at close to 3,000 feet altitude. Ayacucho city is at 9,000 feet of elevation in the south of Peru, but the rexes are found at much lower elevations along a river. In fact, the Ayacucho variety is described as a lowland variety and the Moyobamba the highland variety, reminiscent of the lowland and highland varieties of maxima.

Thanks for this! Sounds like I need an Ayacucho variety to grow in Texas!