Is Cattleya an Orchid? This is a common question among orchid enthusiasts. The simple answer is yes, but care should be taken when choosing which orchid species to grow, as there are several subspecies of this beautiful plant. Some are quite rare, and they can offer you unique flowers and orchid plants.

Cattleya is one of the many types of orchids that produce beautiful flowers. There are actually hundreds of subspecies in the Cattleya genus. They are native to England and some of the most common orchids are the Royal Gramma, Calla lilies, and the Shasta daisy.

These beautiful orchids are actually not true orchids, but a member of the Umbellifera family. It does have a rigid vine with blossoms, but it is actually a vine that produces the flowers. They do not grow on trees, like true orchids do, but on fences, walls, and other structures. If you want a true Cattleya, then you will have to take one to a grower and have it replanted at your house. But for those of you who are not quite sure if you could handle the responsibility of such a plant, then growing orchids indoors is just what you need.

You may be wondering how Cattleya orchids are able to survive in a container. Well, like all plants, they need light to survive. If you give them direct sunlight, then they might die, but with a fluorescent lighting, they would grow just fine. Like most orchids, they prefer a warm climate, so you should place them in a window that faces towards the south or better yet, put them in a pot inside a room that faces the west. Avoid placing them in the north since they would die from cold. Some other plants that are also great as indoor orchid plants are photos, begonias, Japanese spurge, and even the gladiolus.

Since they are considered low maintenance, Cattleya orchids can actually fit into any kind of lifestyle. In fact, you would just have to clean up after them. As they grow, they will eventually spread out and spread their leaves over the soil. For this reason, it is very important that you do not let your plants crowd the space. You need to leave ample room for them to move around and spread out.

They love moisture, but you need to keep a careful watch on their humidity levels. You should check the bottom of the pot for moisture. If it turns out to be dry, then mist it up with a wet paper towel so that it does not dry out too much. When watering them, do it in the morning hours or when the sun is just rising. Take note that during the winter months, it is best to water them only in the afternoon to prevent freezing.

In terms of feeding, you can feed them with a balanced plant food everyday. Some plants would need to be fed with a fertilizer every alternate month or so. However, since Cattleya orchids do not usually have root systems that require regular fertilization, they do not need these feedings. So do not over-feed them.

As with any type of orchid, care must be observed when choosing the correct potting soil. The ideal potting soil would be one that is well-drained yet does not retain too much water. It is recommended that you use potting soil that is packed with nutrients such as nitrogen, potash, and magnesium. Potting soil is cheaper but would still contribute to the health of your cattle. You could ask your supplier for advice if you are not sure how to select the right potting soil.