Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Family
Orchidaceae
Botanical Name
CATTLEYA bicolor
Plant Common Name
Cattleya, Corsage Orchid
General Description
Admired for its fragrance and exotic looks, Cattleya bicolor is a handsome corsage orchid with yellowy brown-green and pink flowers. An epiphytic tender perennial orchid from Brazil, it will form a lush, dense cluster upon a tree branch, wood/wire basket or weighted pot in frost-free gardens.
The stiff, leathery green leaves arise from cylindrical pseudobulbs, each with one to two leaves. In the warmth of summer and autumn, the plant will form small clusters of fragrant flowers on stiff fleshy stalks just above the leaves. Each blossom is yellow-green to olive-brown with a pinkish red lip that fades to pale pink. The specialized flower is pollinated by a specific bee.
Grow Cattleya bicolor in partial sun to very bright partial shade mounted upon a tree branch, in a wire or wooden slat basket or heavy clay pot in a warm, frost-free location. No soil can be used; rather the plant must be supported in a coarse bark or charcoal media that allows water to freely drain. High humidity, excellent air circulation and frequent rainfall in the warmth of spring through fall is ideal. Provide slightly drier conditions and higher light in wintertime, but keep it moderate; leaves can scorch in strong hot afternoon sun or become overly yellow-green when light is too intense. Likewise, full shade will prevent flowering.
This is a lovely specimen plant for a warm sunroom or greenhouse. In more tropical area grow it on a palm trunk or in a patio basket. Use the cutflowers for leis, hair decals or floral arrangements. Consider repotting this orchid only if it is greatly rootbound and then only after it finishes flowering.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
-
Sunset Zone
H2
-
Plant Type
Epiphyte
-
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
-
Height
20"-30" / 50.8cm - 76.2cm
-
Width
15"-20" / 38.1cm - 50.8cm
-
Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
-
Native To
Brazil
Growing Conditions
-
Growth Rate
Slow
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Clump-Forming
-
Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Yellow Green, Light Pink, Rose, Olive, Brown
-
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Light Green, Tan
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Foliage Texture
Coarse
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Self-Sowing
No
