Cattleya aclandiae - Orchid Board

FinnBar · #1 04-19-2007, 05:12 PM

Hi,
Please help.
What I would really love is someone to say "Yes! Catt. aclandiae will thrive in your vivarium. Thou must purchase one forthwidth." but under the circumstances will settle for any given info

Under lights my day temp. can climb to 90F
too hot?
Antti

Ross · #2 04-19-2007, 05:55 PM

Don't know for sure but I doubt it. See IOSPE PHOTOS for description. Reasons why I say I doubt it are the refernce to dry natural habitat (most Cats grow where roots stay dry even after brief rains) and the fact it appears to desire high amounts of light (brief direct sunlight). There wasn't any direct refernece to temps, but 100 to 400 meters is essentially sea level and probably quite warm. I wouldn't worry about temps as much as the other issues. Again, I have no direct knowledge.

Tindomul · #3 04-19-2007, 08:22 PM

Ahh, it says it like to get a dry winter. I stay away from those in vivs. How are you supposed to provide a dry winter to a plant in a setup that stays wet and humid all year long?

smartie2000 · #4 04-19-2007, 08:27 PM

I agree with Tindo on that one. If it needs seasonal changes then you'll have to stay away from keeping it in a vivarium

Shadow · #5 04-20-2007, 03:34 AM

I agree too. Moreover, it likes its roots to become dry very quickly after watering. That's why many hobbyists have poblems with pot culture. This catt likes to be mounted or at least to be potted in a medium that dries up very fast.

FinnBar · #6 04-20-2007, 04:39 AM

I hand mist my tank so I could easily keep it more dry. I was thinking growing it mounted near the fans. How dry is a dry winter rest, in terms of humidity? My humidity fluctuates between 55%-95%(night) near the top of the tank where I was thinking of placing it. Thanks,
Antti

Shadow · #7 04-20-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinnBar

I hand mist my tank so I could easily keep it more dry. I was thinking growing it mounted near the fans. How dry is a dry winter rest, in terms of humidity? My humidity fluctuates between 55%-95%(night) near the top of the tank where I was thinking of placing it. Thanks,
Antti

Air humidity is high the whole year round. It should be more than 60%. Dry winter rest means less watering.

Tindomul · #8 04-20-2007, 11:46 AM

Exactly. I was just thinking you would need to stop watering it for a while. How long, I have no clue.

FinnBar · #9 04-21-2007, 06:27 AM

Well

I might just give it a go

Thanks gor the hints.
Antti

smweaver · #10 11-28-2007, 10:57 AM

FinnBar, did you ever get a Cattleya aclandiae? Just wanted to find out how it turned out for you. I personally think it would do fine in your vivarium if you can keep it as close to the lights as possible without burning it. Mine gets lots of sunlight, much more than most Cattleyas are supposed to be able to take (with the exception of some of the equally light-demanding bifoliates such as amethystoglossa, nobilior and walkeriana). It also gets watered regularly throughout the year, even in winter when common wisdom would suggest that it's supposed to go dry (but I also have it mounted on a cork slab with nothing to retain water between the plant and the slab, which I would imagine helps alleviate any possibility of root rot). If you didn't get one, my friendly suggestion would be for you to give it a try. It's a nice little plant that (in my humble opinion) is pretty easy to care for.

Steve