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Queen of Orchids

Photo: G.S. Unnikrishnan

Play of colour Cattleyas come in many colours

Rajagopal and Girija Rajagopal at Gokul, Chirakulam Road, Vanchiyur, are addicted to the beauty of Cattleya flowers blooming in their roof garden.

“We have been growing orchids for the past 10 years and have seen many orchid beauties, but Cattleyas surpass all others with their charisma,” they say.

Dedicated to William Cattley, a 19th century English horticulturist, Cattleyas are known as the ‘Queen of Orchids.’ Cattleyas come in many colours, right from beautiful lavenders to deep reds, whites, yellows and even blues.

They also differ in size, shape and texture. There are about 50 different varieties of Cattleyas and many hybrid varieties also exist.

The sweet scented blooms are often large and many have frilly lips and large petals. But this variety of the orchid does not last as long as the other varieties.

Like most orchids, Cattleyas are epiphytes. They have water-storage organs, called pseudobulbs and large fleshy roots covered with a spongy, water-retentive velamen. The leaves are fleshy and leathery.

Cattleyas should be potted in a porous, free draining medium. A mixture of broken brick pieces, charcoal and coconut husk chips would be a good choice.

New plantlings arising from the base of the mature plants can be separated and grown.

Tissue culture plants are also available.

Direct sunlight should be avoided while growing Cattleyas. Regular watering is essential during summer . Once watered, mature Cattleyas need to dry out before being watered again. Seedlings need slightly more stable moisture.

Application of fertilizer mixtures like Orchid care, Orchid bloom and fermented and diluted extract of oilcakes promote better blossoming.

The humid climate and temperature in Kerala is suitable for growing Cattleyas.

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