Cattleya maxima var. tipo 'Wild Girl' AM/AOS x var. rubra 'Elegance' AM/AOS

Introducing the captivating hybrid orchid, Cattleya maxima var. tipo 'Wild Girl' AM/AOS x Cattleya maxima var. rubra 'Elegance' AM/AOS, a stunning specimen that boasts the most gorgeous and long-lasting blooms.

This orchid exhibits an erect to arching inflorescence measuring an impressive 12 inches, adorned with 3-15 heavily textured flowers that span 5 inches across. The lowland plants are characterized by an abundance of flowers, while the upland variants display a superior shape and a richer, darker pink color. This cross represent the best of both plants.

Native to Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and northern coastal Peru, these orchids thrive in elevations ranging from 10 to 1500 meters within seasonally dry, coastal forests. Considered a medium-sized, cool to warm growing epiphyte, occasional lithophyte, it features clavate pseudobulbs with sulcate characteristics and an apical, thickly coriaceous leaf. The orchid blooms in the fall through the winter on a terminal, erect or arching inflorescence, emitting a fragrant heliotrope to sweet pea scent.

Cultivation Tips:

Light: Providing bright light to partial sun is crucial for the optimal growth and flowering of these Cattleya orchids. Aim for an east, shaded south, or west window indoors, or 50 to 70 percent full sun in a greenhouse. Leaves should maintain a medium green color, and pseudobulbs should stand erect without the need for staking.

Temperature: Maintain night temperatures between 55 to 60°F and day temperatures between 70 to 85°F, with a recommended 15- to 20-degree differential between day and night. Higher day temperatures up to 95°F can be tolerated with increased humidity, air circulation, and shading.

Watering: Water the plants in the pot thoroughly, allowing mature plants to dry out completely before the next watering. Seedlings require more constant moisture. Assess the need for water by comparing the weight of dry and wet pots of the same size and mix. Watering below 50°F may harm the plants.

Humidity: Maintain humidity levels between 50 to 80 percent. In a home setting, use trays of gravel partially filled with water to avoid plants sitting in water. Ensure air circulation to prevent fungal or bacterial diseases, especially in high humidity or cool temperatures. In a greenhouse, consider using a humidifier.

Fertilization: Fertilize regularly with a high-nitrogen formulation (e.g., 30-10-10) in fir bark or a balanced fertilizer. Apply fertilizer every two weeks during active growth and monthly when not actively growing. Flush with clear water monthly to prevent fertilizer salt buildup.

Potting: Repot when the rhizome protrudes over the pot edge or the medium breaks down. Pot just before new roots sprout, after flowering, or in the spring. Mature plants use coarser potting material. When dividing, ensure three to five pseudobulbs per division. Select a pot with room for two years of growth, pile mix against one side, and spread live roots over it. Keep the plant humid, shaded, and dry at the roots until new growth appears.

This is a blooming size in a 4” clay pot, about 1 to 2 years to bloom, grown from seed, limited!

Bring home the exquisite Cattleya maxima var. tipo 'Wild Girl' AM/AOS x Cattleya maxima var. rubra 'Elegance,' and experience the joy of cultivating these splendid orchids with their alluring fragrance and breathtaking beauty.