Cattleya amethystoglossa is native to Brazil in the states of Bahia and possibly Espirito Santo, where it is found near sea level. It grows on palm tree trunks, rock, and large tree branches high in the canopy of evergreen trees. This plant is found growing in bright, airy, humid locations...
Cattleya amethystoglossa also called as The Amethyst Lipped Cattleya, Cattleya amethystoglossa var. alba, Cattleya amethystoglossa var. lilacina, Cattleya amethystoglossa var. rosea, Cattleya guttata keteleerii, Cattleya guttatta lilacina, Cattleya guttata prinzii, Cattleya guttata var prinzii, Cattleya purpurina, Epidendrum amethestoglosum, Epidendrum elatius var prinzii, is a species of the genus Cattleya. This species was described by Linden & Rchb.f. ex R.Warner in 1862.
IDENTIFY CATTLEYA AMETHYSTOGLOSSA
Cattleya amethystoglossa is native to Brazil in the states of Bahia and possibly Espirito Santo, where it is found near sea level. It grows on palm tree trunks, rock, and large tree branches high in the canopy of evergreen trees. This plant is found growing in bright, airy, humid locations. Its native range has been greatly reduced due to habitat destruction, logging, and agriculture.
It is a large sized, cool to warm growing epiphyte, which reaching 1 meter in height (in cultivation it is usually smaller, up to 60-80 cm), with tall, cylindrical pseudobulbs carrying 2 apical, up to 25 cm long leaves.
The Amethyst Lipped Cattleya blooms in the fall, winter and early spring with a terminal, 10 to 30 flowered inflorescence carrying fragrant flowers. The flowers are 10 cm in diameter and are lavender-pink with darker spots surrounding a violet-magenta lip, though coloration can be variable.
CATTLEYA AMETHYSTOGLOSSA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Cattleya amethystoglossa needs a light level of 50000-80000 lux. The used specimens tolerate the direct sun very well (even during lunchtime). The photoperiod must be 16 hours in summer and 12 hours in winter. The absence of adequate light results in the formation of pseudobulbs incapable of flowering.
Temperature:
During the growth phase the ideal temperatures are 25-27 ° C during the day and 19-20 ° C at night, while during the resting phase they must be lower, 18-19 ° C during the day and 14 ° C at night.
Humidity:
If The Amethyst Lipped Cattleya is grown in pots, the air humidity can be about 50-60%. If it is a specimen on a raft, the minimum humidity is 70%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Since Cattleya amethystoglossa is a large orchid, it is more practical to place it in a pot, even if it is also possible to grow it with a bare root. As a substrate we choose medium-large bark (2-4 cm). This orchid does not require frequent repotting, so transplants are made only when the substrate has "aged" (which happens every 2-3 years), if the pot has become too small or if there are problems with the roots. In the period when night temperatures exceed 16 ° C and daytime temperatures 22 ° C, it is possible to place the plant outdoors in a sunny place protected from strong winds.
Watering:
When the orchid is growing, it bathes get water abundantly. The watering occurs when the substrate has become almost dry. The bare root plants get water 1-2 times a day (depending on the climate and temperatures).
Fertilizer:
The cultivated plant is only fertilized during the growth phase, using 1/2 of the dose indicated on the vial of a special liquid manure for orchids. For bare root specimens, 1/8 of the spray water dose is added. The fertilizations are carried out every 2 weeks.
Rest period:
The rest phase of Cattleya amethystoglossa starts from mid-November to early February and is characterized by low temperatures, little water and less light than usual. It ends in February, and the first thing to do is to raise the levels of light and a little temperature. This will awaken the plant that will react immediately with the arrival of new jets and / or inflorescences. During the resting phase, the watering is replaced by vaporization of the upper part of the substrate, which occurs every 5-7 days. Air humidity in this period must exceed 60%. If the pseudobulbs shrivel too much (that is, they lose more than 25% of their original mass), the frequencies of vaporization must be increased. When the rest period ends, the watering returns to the summer levels.
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