Cattleya is a rather capricious orchid that, with proper care, will delight its owner with large and bright flowers. There is an opinion that it is very difficult to grow this beauty, but if you know a few features, the Cattleya will definitely have buds.
A plant can only bloom if it has more than 3 pseudobulbs. Flowering usually occurs every 8-10 months, this occurs after a dormant period. But you need to focus on the features of each Cattleya hybrid. For example, some varieties delight with flowers 3 times a year, while others only in autumn or even winter.
The first thing that needs to be provided for this orchid is sufficient lighting, of course, the light can only be diffused. And if it is not enough, the sprouts will not develop inflorescences.
Another requirement is the mandatory temperature difference between day and night. It is important to remember that the peduncle will form and develop only at night temperatures below 18 degrees. And if the shoot dries up, then there is not enough light, moisture or fertilizer.
Sometimes the plant does not start up a peduncle, but a new shoot. This happens for two reasons: the orchid is not yet ready to bloom, it does not have enough strength for this, or the Cattleya is being watered incorrectly.
In order for a flower to show all its beauty, you need to carefully monitor its growth. As soon as the shoot has appeared, watering must be reduced, and when it grows by half, completely forget about water before flowering. Otherwise, the sprout may rot. And be sure to remember that the orchid is not an ordinary plant that requires regular watering, the Cattleya must have a dormant period.
