Cattleya auriantiaca advice... - Orchid Board

InspirChid1712 · #1 04-21-2009, 09:59 AM

I just ordered a blooming size Cattleya aurantiaca from Oak Hill as a payday present to me! I just wanted some tips on growing it successfully! Will it need a rest period after flowering??? According to what I have read thus far, it seems to be an easy grower, and I'm assuming it will be similar to growing other Catts. I am SOOOO excited for the bright orange blooms!!!!!!!!

PS- Should I expect a fragrance????

Gin · #2 04-21-2009, 10:41 AM

You made a good choice it is easy to bloom . I grow mine like the other Catts .
One thing when in sheath the sheaths sometimes brown but that does not mean it won't bloom ,it will bloom through the dry sheath . Gin oops! I have not noticed a fragrance but that might be just me

tuvoc · #3 04-21-2009, 10:53 AM

I don't have auriantica, but I have one of its hybrids, with C. Baby Jane, and I found it does best with a LOT of light and water during active growth, for best blooming. Gin is right on about the dry sheaths. My plant always puts out a new growth that forms a sheath that dries out, puts out another growth right after, and the blooms off of both growths at the same time. Hope this helps a bit.

Kim

cb977 · #4 04-21-2009, 11:56 AM

I grow my big one (a gift from Gin

) in the brightest part of (one of) the Cattleya area. I recently got one form Oak Hill and since it's much smaller, I'm growing it with the Catts but in a spot with a bit more dappled light (created by the bigger plants around it)

The one unfortunate thing about this truly gorgeous chid is that it looks like it should smell wonderful...but there is no fragrance

Gin · #5 04-21-2009, 04:25 PM

Maybe we could enhance it with a scent.. Oranges

cb977 · #6 04-21-2009, 04:56 PM

That would be perfect!

InspirChid1712 · #7 04-21-2009, 11:42 PM

Hi Sue! I figured you would chime in eventually! The fragrance isn't a big deal... its just that the flowers are so VIBRANT!!!!! (that is what convinced me to order it!) While it seems that there will be no scent, it makes up for it with the lovely orange color! All of my orchids are beautiful, but I have so many that bloom with cool colors... I thought it was time to spice things up a bit! Thanks for the help!