Anybody growing Catt. violacea?

[Dekejis]

I'm hoping to see if anyone here is growing Cattleya violacea successfully, and if so, how are you growing it?

I have a plant that's potted in sphagnum in clay that's been doing so-so, the roots don't look so hot and it's been starting to get a tad wrinkly.. I noticed the other day it's just starting to put out two new roots - I'm debating on repotting it into something else while I have the chance.

I read up on this species and it seems like some of the reports say it wants to dry out quickly and others say pot it in sphagnum and keep it wet - I'm confused!

[LauraN]

I am growing a Cattleya violacea. Mine is mounted on cypress. I don't even have any spag on it. It seems happy as it has plenty of healthy root and a new growth. I'll try to post some photos tomorrow.

[isurus79]

These guys like it fairly dry and by dry, I mean they like to dry off quickly. In fact, I might go so far as to say that any source that says to grow them wet should be thrown away!! If you can mount it, then I definitely would. The wrinkles on the leaves probably indicate its not getting enough water because the roots are likely dead. This is one guy that should be repotted ASAP!! Good luck!!

[kavanaru]

my (I can only provide feedback on the conditions where this species grows in the wild, as it is fairly common near the house of my parent in Vzla. and my favorite Cattleya at all)

this species can be divided in two groups (it's me now dividing it, so possibly no taxonomical value! It is based on my observations in Venezuela, and probably not applicable to brazilian plants):

Plants growing in the amazonian forest: normally the flowers are softer and thinner, but also better general shape and lighter colours. Most albas and semi-albas seem to come from this group.

Plants NOT growing in the amazonian forest ( easy grouping, isn't it?): Thicker flowers with darker colours. Petals thinner, and therefore more star shaped than the amazonian cousins.

Both groups: they normally grow next to rivers (Gallery forests) and therefore are exposed to high air humidity most of the year. Sometimes they even grow just next to the water, but without been in contact with it. However, the normal case is growing a bit high on the trees! The rainy season for both plants is differently defined:

Amazonian group: it rains every single day of the year. dry season (5 months/year), normally one hour in the morning and sometimes also in the evening. Rainy season (7 months/year), it rains almost all day long every single day. Temperatures for this group are normally lower than for the other (YES, believe it or not, the amazonian forest can be sometimes a bit cool!), however they normally do not go below 20°C (let's put an average of 28 - 30°C, but near the Tepuis - Meseta like mountains in north amazonian - it can be an average of 25°C and can go down to 18°C).

Other group: dry season, no rain at all during 5-6 months. Very, very dry and hot (daily temps of up to 40°C!). Due to deciduous forest, this plants are normally exposed to more light than others (especially during this season). Rainy season, it rains very strong every single day for 1 - 2 hours. Just after the rain, the sun shine and the plants are dry rather quick!

last note: I have some plants growing on trees in the house of my parents. At the beginning I gave them a quite conservative treatment with light, mounting them on trees with a little more shade (however, enough light Cattleya mosiae and lueddemaniana, and Brassavola cucullata), because they humidity was not to high. They grew perfectly for several years, but did not bloom until I moved them to trees where they were exposed to more light and drier air! They bloom every single year for easter time since then...

I hope this helps to understand the needs of this species.

[Orchonubee]

I have one that is potted in medium & large coconut husk chunks. It's young, and has yet to bloom, but is doing well. I purchased a Baker's culture sheet for C. violacea, which gave me detailed information. Some may disagree, but I don't believe this is an easy orchid to grow. Orchid Culture - Charles and Margaret Baker

[Dekejis]

Thanks everyone for their input! I decided to go ahead and repot the plant - I happened to have a couple baskets on hand (I ordered another clone of 'Muse' and when I see signs of root growth on that one, I might try it mounted), so it's now in the basket with chunks of lava rock and cork, along with a couple strategically placed pieces of diatomite (I've had pretty good luck with the stuff). Steve was right, the roots didn't look so hot in all that sphagnum. Perhaps the previous owner had a drier growing environment than I do!
I also took the opportunity to repot another violacea that I have, a smaller plant (an alba! I'm so glad you thought to mention the differences between the two groups, Ramon!) that was also potted in sphagnum. Fortunately, it also had a couple fat new roots just under the surface. THAT one took some nerve for me to repot though! But it is now also in a smaller basket.
I grow them both in a room with high humidity and once they get established I might summer them both outdoors here (hot, high humidity and lots of sun - nothing like a sweltering Georgia summer!)

[kavanaru]

with the alba

keep in mind I based my comments on my observations and are therefore not the final definitive truth!! I would try to follow the origin of your clon. There some venezuelan clones and also brazilian ones (I am not sure where the brazilians come from - and I mean the ecosystem and not the country! )

C. violacea is indeed not the easiest of the cattleyas, and the albas are especially "tricky"... but they are just amazingly beautiful!!! worth a try if you have the conditions...