Cattleya Orchids range from Costa Rica to Argentina in the wild. Many varieties available today are grown or have been hybridized over time. Yes, it was labeled “The Queen of the Orchids” at some point, but so far I haven’t found a king. Maybe the Queen died without offspring?
The genus has been defined and divided some over time into subgenus and then within Cattleya is has been further divided into sections, and even series within Crispae.
Cattleya at a glance
- Core Identification & Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Cattleya
- Common Name: Queen of the Orchids
- Family: Orchidaceae
- Varietals:
- Habitat/Range: Costa Rica to Argentina
- Morphology & Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Epiphytic (grows on surface of another plant), or even Terrestrial which just mean s the roots grow under soil
- Leaves: oblong, lanceolate or elliptical, somewhat fleshy
- Flowers: Have Sepals and petals free from each other
- Propagation:
- Notes
- Sun Exposure: Indirect light
- Water: High humidity 70-80%
- Fertilizer:
- Growing approach: equire significant air flow
- Subgenus Cattleya
- Section Cattleya
- Section Crispae
- Series Cattleyodes
- Series Hadrolaelia
- Series Microlaelia
- Series Parvoflorae
- Series Sophronitis
- Section Lawrenceanae
- Subgenus Cattleyella
- Subgenus Intermediae
- Subgenus Maximae
As I can identify specifc plants we have to a species within this genus, I will update this page with details and pictures.