Cattleya maxima

Base Price: $50.00

Cross: ('Super Max' x 'Maxed Out')

Intro:
Cattleya maxima is a species native to Ecuador, Northern Peru and Columbia. It is a vigorous species and very forgiving of mistreatment. This particular cross was made from two selected clones chosen from approx. 100 plants that were in flower. The photo is of one of the parents. This variety produces multiple numbers of flowers on strong upright stems. The color and shape is superb. There is a nice fragrance and the flowers last at least a month or more. The plants offered are faster growing than many of the other cattleyas varieties.
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Light:
This plant prefers medium to high light from 2,000 to 4,000 foot candles. East windows will work in the extremes of the hemispheres until the dead of winter at which time they would require a south window if in the northern hemisphere or north if in the Southern hemisphere. This plant will also do well under lights if grown under at least 4 four foot tubes of fluorescent light and will grow especially well under high pressure sodium fixtures.
P.L. Lights systems are a great way to provide artificial light to your orchids. See our P.L. Lights page for more information on this great product we offer.

Temperature:
Cattleya maxima requires intermediate temperatures with winter night time lows of 58 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit. With daytime highs being 70 to 85 degrees. Summer temps can be up to 10 degrees warmer than that.

Humidity:
This species likes high humidity from 50 to 80% during the summer growing season and will tolerate lower humidity during the winter months.
We offer two products that can help increase humidity levels. The humidity tray offered in black or white, and the Mist Maker. Please click on the underlined text for more information on these products.

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 but do not allow the mix to become completely dry between watering during periods of new growth or flowering. During winter months keep drier at the roots between watering. Watch the pseudobulbs. Some slight shriveling is ok, too much however should be remedied with more frequent watering,
Over watering can cause several problems such as root rot and infectious bacteria/fungus in the potting medium. One product we offer that can help these problems if caught at an early stage is Phyton 27 bactericide and fungicide.

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 produces strong stems of 10 to 20 flowers on mature plants. The flowers are about 4 to 4 to 5 inches in size and colored in brilliant purple, magenta. The lip has a white to light yellow keel down the center and is veined in deep purple. The flowers are generally produced in the summer to fall months and are long lasting often bearing up for 4 to 8 weeks. They have a wonderful sweet floral scent. Be sure to keep the potting mix slightly more moist during bud and flower development as this will improve flower quality and longevity.

Repotting:
Repot this plant when new growths begin at the base using a medium grade bark mix. Plastic pots are acceptable during the seedling stage but once mature a switch to clay pots will be beneficial. Keep dry for the first week, after re potting as this will allow any damaged roots to heal and seal off preventing fugal or bacterial problems from developing.
We offer several different types of potting medium. Here are direct links to what we believe to be some of the best potting mediums available for orchids: Orchids Limited bark mix, New Zealand sphagnum moss, coco husk, coco peat, sponge rock,charcoal, tree fern fiber, osmunda fiber and cork slabs for epiphytic plants.