Cattleya dowiana

Base Price: $100.00

Intro:
Cattleya dowiana is native to the Atlantic coastal mountain areas in Costa Rica and was first brought to England in 1864 flowering the next autumn. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful of the Cattleya species. No collection should be lacking this species. The flowers are large and yellow with a deep scarlet velvety veined lip. This form also has scarlet veining in the yellow petal tips. There is also a very nice fragrance.
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Light:
This Cattleya requires 1500-2000 footcandles to do well. As seedlings they should be kept shadier, almost in Phalaenopsis conditions, to promote larger leaf growth. When mature, this plant does not want high light like other Cattleyas. If the plant receives too much light, the flowers will be distorted. This plant will do well under lights.
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:
C. dowiana is a warm growing Cattleya, and should be grown at Phalaenopsis temperatures at all times. Nighttime temps should be between 60 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temps at 75-85 degrees F.

Humidity:
50% or higher is ideal. The use of humidity trays or room humidifiers is beneficial.
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 summer growth period. In winter allow the mix to just dry between watering. Many growers hang this plant in the warm end of the greenhouse and allow it to become quite dry between watering. When new growths emerge gradually resume heavier watering.
Overwatering 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 3 to 7 5 to7 inch yellow flowers with a deep scarlet velvety veined lip on a yellow background. This particular form has some scarlet veining in the tips of the petals. The flowers last for 3 weeks and have a nice sweet fragrance.

Repotting:
Repot this plant only during periods of growth, when you see new growths beginning at the base of the plant. Do not repot this plant in midwinter or in midsummer, as this will cause the plant great stress and you may lose the clone. Use a medium grade bark mix and clay pots.
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.