Cattleya rex (2.5” medium sized seedling)

New! This is a very special are rare species known only from two small populations on the eastern slope of the Andes in Peru. It was one of the last large flowered cattleya species to be described due to the remote nature of its habitat. This is a seedling batch produced from the self pollination of a high quality example (main photo), which can bear up to five or more flowers per inflorescence when mature. The fragrant flowers are produced in early to mid-summer, usually in July for us. They are naturally semi-alba, with white to cream segments set off by a magnificent trumpet lip that is yellow on the outside with red shading into purple on the inside and a frilly picotee edge. While some unscrupulous online sellers are calling plants from this same batch “near blooming size” and selling at exorbitant prices, the reality is that they are a minimum of two years from being large enough to flower. Still, they are worth acquiring while available, as it is rare to find any available other than mature divisions priced at several hundred dollars. Like most cattleya species, there is a bit of skill involved in growing Cattleya rex well. It prefers bright diffused light and temperatures that are mild to warm, but not hot. From late spring through autumn watering should be fairly frequent, but with drying in between for a day or two. The balance of the year less water is required, but plants should not stay dry for extended periods. Buying a younger plant such as these gives you the greater opportunity to let it adapt to your conditions. In a controlled growing environment, a basket or mounted on a slab of cork are good ways to keep the root system healthy by allowing for maximum drainage. Under windowsill conditions a pot with a long lasting and open medium will do well. While not as large and bold as modern cattleya hybrids, the graceful beauty of this species, combined with its ability to make up to five flowers per stem, makes it something special and worth owning.