Cattleya amethystoglossa

[peeweelovesbooks]

I bought one of these (seedling size) because I want to SLOWLY get into catt species (which intimidate me). I live in humid Miami and use hydroton for mostly everything.


Anyone grow these? What do I need to know? Any suggestions are highly welcome.

[FSUOrchids]

I just got one recently from a Lowe's...it just needs a lot of light and other than that you're good. It should grow just fine for you down there.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Miami here! Many growers in Florida suggest to grow cattleyas here out of bark! I had issues with over water for a years with all my cats, till this year when I switched all of them - they are either in hydroton pebbles or mounted on tree fern. I use clear plastic pots to see the roots! Since that time they are all doing great! No over water, growing many new growths, one is going to bloom for me now! I also feed 1x month MagiCal on the top of regular frtilizer and also seaweed. Provide good bright light, and fertilize regular in growing season, and they will do great!

[isurus79]

Any pics peewee?

[peeweelovesbooks]

I've not received the plant, but you can see the listing here:

Orchid Plant C Amethystoglossa Flowering Size in 4" Pot Unflowered Seedling 4N | eBay

[isurus79]

Ruben has good plants. Well, I give my amethystoglossas bright Catt light and when I was growing in Hawaii, they got nearly full sun for most of the day. They like fast draining media (the hydroton will be good media) and like to be watered fairly often when actively growing, say every other day or more. As long as they dry quickly, you can water relatively often. Fertilize regularly during its growth phase. These guys like a pretty dry winter, however seedlings will often keep growing during the winter. If this happens just water as normal and try to keep it warm.

[smweaver]

Steve's information is good. Just be careful when you repot it, only doing so when new root tips are just beginning to emerge from the most recently completed new growth (do NOT repot it at the beginning of a new growth cycle, as this species forms new roots after the newest growth has completed its growth cycle). This species is also (not that this will probably matter for a plant growing in Miami) tolerant of cool winter temperatures when it's dormant; my growing area drops down to between 48 and 52 F at night, and all of my C. amethystoglossas do just fine. Good luck with your new plant.

Steve

[tucker85]

I treat my C. amethystoglossa like the rest of my cattleyas. I agree with Steve, they don't like to be repotted. They also need to get quite large before they bloom. I don't grow many species but C. jenmanii has grown well for me and has a beautiful fragrance.

[POLKA]

Hey Peewee
does it matter to you if the plant gets humongous?

Otherwise -- Nice Choice!

Rex

[peeweelovesbooks]

Thanks for the advice. No, it doesn't matter if it gets humongous.......just ask the Grammatophyllum speciosum I have in my backyard. (giggle)