Cocktail Cattleya - Orchid Board

Gazpacho · #1 11-03-2012, 02:08 AM

I bought one of these today. It says on the label that it is easy to grow and care for.... that's almost a certain sign that I will kill it within a month...

Anyway, I can find no information on this plant. Is it a noID Cattleya.. a random blend and I can expect a lucky dip if it ever flowers?

Shrugs....

msaar · #2 11-03-2012, 03:37 AM

The name "cocktail cattleya" comes from the period when orchid corsages were still very popular. The typical Cattleya corsage was a large white or purple flower for church and more formal occaisions, while a cocktail orchid of the day was a smaller, often different color orchid for a less formal occaision, such as a cocktail party.

Roy · #3 11-03-2012, 09:19 AM

msaar is quite right only here in Australia, a Cocktail Cattleya was more the very open, starry cluster type. Something like a larger form of C. Chit Chat with 3 - 5 flowers.
You'll have to flower it to potentially know the name.

Cym Ladye · #4 11-04-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy

msaar is quite right only here in Australia, a Cocktail Cattleya was more the very open, starry cluster type. Something like a larger form of C. Chit Chat with 3 - 5 flowers.
You'll have to flower it to potentially know the name.

....and even when it flowers, the chances of learning the real parents or the name of your hybrid are next to none. Just enjoy it as a "noid" (no identification) catt.

CL

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #5 11-04-2012, 01:25 PM

Grow in general Catt conditions:

- Intermediate to warm (55 F - 90 F)

- Bright indirect light.

- Moderate humidity (60% - 80%)

- Moderate to good air circulation.

- Dry completely between waterings.

If you're looking for cooler growing Catts, research some of the species Catts.

As an fyi, many Laelias grow quite easily in your outdoors environment, and can be very temperature tolerant, provided it doesn't snow where you live.

Gazpacho · #6 11-05-2012, 10:08 PM

There's not much chance of snow here in Sydney, although "things" seem to be changing... as someone humerously once said... pumpingall the oil out of the ground depletes the natural lubrication between the stratified rocks and thus causes earthquakes!!