Cattleya mossiae coerulea (sib)

Base Price: $35.00

Intro:
Cattleya mossiae was originally considered one of the several listed variants of Cattleya labiata. Now Cattleya mossiae, along with several other previous variants, is considered a separate species. This plant comes from the jungles of Venezuela. The coerulea form is not a true blue but rather a lavender blue. The best way to view the color correctly is in the shade on a sunny day. The blue becomes clearly evident.

Light:
This plant requires medium to high light, from 2,500 to 5,000 foot-candles. It can also be grown outside during the summer months, as long as it is in shade and does not get exposed to direct sun light.

Temperature:
This plant prefers intermediate to warm temperatures with winter daytime temps 75 to 85 degrees, Fahrenheit. Winter night temperatures should not fall below 60 degrees, Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures can be 10 degrees warmer.

Humidity:
50% or higher is ideal.

Water:
It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Municipal water with a pH of 7.5 or lower can also be used. Water as the mix approaches dryness. When the plant is in bud, water more frequently to prevent bud blast.

Fertilizer:
We highly recommend Green Jungle Orchid Food, especially formulated to work with rain, distilled, reverse osmosis water or water low in alkalinity. Fertilize with Green Jungle every time you water.

Or, use GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree for municipal or well water. Use at the rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. If using GrowMore with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add back in 5 - 10% municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter.

Another fertilizer offered is GrowMore 6-30-30 (Cymbidium and bloom boosting formula).

Flowering:
This plant blooms in the late winter through the early summer. It produces beautiful lilac colored flowers with broad petals. There is also a hint of yellow located in the throat of the flower. A darker lavender lip is brushed and streaked with color Fragrant. The bluish lavender color is best seen in the shade out of doors on a sunny or slightly overcast day.

Repotting:
Repot Cattleyas every 18 to 24 months into clay pots using either a medium grade orchid bark mix or a tree fern and sphagnum moss mix. Remember to set the oldest growths towards the back of the pot, leaving room for the new growths to emerge. The best time to repot is when the plant is sending up new growths.