Cattleya Dowiana var. Aurea

[Gurj]

Hi all, I have just received this little beauty. Don't know about it rarity because its hard to come by in the UK although very popular in the USA, lucky and I am excited for it to grow. Looks good and healthy. I'm waiting the seller's response for its care and requirements.

[Ron-NY]

A beautiful species! Here is the culture for you:

The most important cultural thing to remember is to grow C.dowiana so its roots dry quickly. For this reason, C. dowiana is either grown in clay pots that barely accommodate the plant and one new growth, or it is planted in hanging baskets.

Cattleya dowiana also likes to be kept dry when it is not actively growing. Be careful not to over water it during the cool winter months when it is dormant.

In its native habitat, C. dowiana grows at the tops of tall trees in the jungle where its roots dry out rapidly after a rain. It also has a dry resting period in the jungle in December and January. Ignoring C. dowiana’s need to dry out will cause the roots to rot and eventually the pseudobulbs will decay.

Cattleya dowiana requires lots of sun. Plenty of moving air from fans is beneficial, too. This helps keep its leaves cool and aids in drying its roots.

In the Northern Hemisphere, C. dowiana begins growing in early spring, flowers in mid- to late summer. After flowering it goes dormant until the following spring. It requires frequent watering when it is actively growing, but little water after flowering until it begins growing in the spring.

Fertilizer lightly during the active growing season.

[Gurj]

Great info. Ron, thank you so much. Following your advice, I was just looking out for procedures I might have to tweak to keep the regimen for C.Dowiana

There is a fan on low setting that I switch on for a couple of hours during the morning and then before dusk.

This one is in a small plastic pot, I observed, under the layer of bark is a thin layer of moss that covers the drain holes.

I opted not to water them with a sprinkler but to carefully dunk them briefly to avoid water that might get trapped in between the leaves and its sheath. Also, I am making a "trivet" out of galvanised mesh making sure the pot doesn't sit in water.

Also, for the betterment of the orchids, I invested in a 6500 lumen full-spectrum/day lamp that gets switched on when it just gets dark outside to provide supplemental lightning.

I use RO water with balanced/neutral pH(recently learned about this pH and alkalinity) added feed at 1/2 the recommended strength

Moisture is the only thing I need to look out for, really which I might struggle with.

[catttan]

Congrats Gurjeet, you have a very rare gem there.

[phraggy]

This really is a beautiful Cattleya. Just do as Ron says and keep you fingers crossed because they are not one of the easy ones.
Hope all goes well

E

[leafmite]

I have a seedling of this (sent by accident from a vendor). Thanks for the information.
Posted via Mobile Device

[max]

Nice little specimen, hope to see some flowers of it someday.

[phraggy]

Could you tell us where you got it from Gurgeet?

Ed

[Gurj]

I can't name the vendor per forum policy, but do check your inbox.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Looks like a healthy cattleya!

cheers,
BD