Cattleya Amethystoglossa Care: Violet Blooming Orchids

Cattleya Amethystoglossa of the Cattleya genus can be easily cultivated and grown at home. It is a large-sized orchid that owes its popularity as a houseplant to its beautiful lavender and mauve flowers and sweet fragrance.

We have contacted Cattleya florists from across the country who have experience on the Epidendroideae orchid subfamily so that they can share their amethystoglossa growing tips with you!

Cattleya Amethystoglossa Care

Water Requirements

The water requirements of Cattleya orchids tend to be very confusing for beginner florists. This is because these orchids love copious watering and yet are highly susceptible to rot if you let the water stay on the leaves, stems, or roots for a while.

Find out how to strike a balance between the two extremes below:

• After each watering, let the substrate or media become dry before the next watering. You can check whether the media is dry or not by sticking a pencil or stick in it. If it comes out dry, this means it’s time for the next watering.
• Do not let the plant become dry for too long, though. A couple of weeks of regular checking and documenting after each watering will enable you to figure out the approximate time that it takes for your substrate to dry.
• As a general rule of thumb: bare root amethystoglossa can be watered even twice in the same day because the water will simply flow off it. In contrast, potted Amethystoglossa’s media takes a while to dry out and will need only two or three-sometimes even fewer-watering per week.
• We strongly recommend you use distilled water or rainwater for your orchids. Normal municipal water is fine too, provided it is not laden with too many chemicals.

Light Requirements

Just like with their water requirements, Cattleyas exhibit paradoxical behavior when it comes to light as well. They prefer bright lights for most of the day, provided it is shaded and indirect.

They are categorized as “bright light” orchids because the light they love best is during the early morning or late afternoon.

• Keep your amethystoglossa in a place where it can receive at least 16 hours of shaded bright light in the summer and 12 hours during winters. Do not place them in direct sunlight, though.
• It is best to place them in an eastern-facing window or balcony. In case that’s not possible, a southern facing window or balcony is fine too.
• Your Cattleyas will get sunburnt if they are in a western-facing location and receive the harsh western light for most of the day. LED lights work just as well as natural ones. Do Not despair if you cannot provide enough natural light.
• How can you tell whether your orchids are getting the right amount of light: Their leaves will be a beautiful pale green. Dark green leaves indicate too little light, whereas yellow-tinged leaves are a sign of sunburn.

Temperature Requirements

Maintaining correct temperatures is very important for the growth and flowering of your orchids. Cattleya Amethystoglossa is native to the tropics; they need hot, humid climates.

A noticeable drop in temperature from day to night is very important for them because it stimulates the growth of their flower buds. Here are the ideal temperatures during various times of the year:

• Temperature During Growth Period: 77- 80.6 F during the day; 66-68 F during the night
• Temperature During Rest Period: 64-66 F during the day; 57 F during the night

Some tips from our professionals regarding maintaining temperatures:

• Use heating pads during winter.
• During summer, keep the orchid near a slightly open window at night for stimulating flower buds.

Cattleya Amethystoglossa Seeds and Soil: Learn How to Cultivate Them

• You have two options when it comes to cultivating Amethystoglossa at home: you can either pot them in a clay pot or mount them on the cork. Since these orchids tend to be larger in size, we prefer potting them.
• As for the cultivating media, you should select one that provides good water drainage and air circulation around the roots. Hence, most florists and orchid experts suggest using a medium-grade potting mix over a fine grade one for these orchids.
• Mounted Cattleya Amethystoglossa: Mounting orchids bare-rooted has the advantage of adequate water drainage and ventilation around roots. There is decreased risk of fungal disease. Use cork or driftwood to mount these orchids bare rooted. Unfortunately, the large size of Amethystoglossa makes it a difficult plant to mount. It also makes them susceptible to rapid drying.
• Potted Cattleya Amethystoglossa: Potting is a safe option for these orchids, and our florists swear by it. The substrate they recommend is medium-sized bark of about 0.7 to 1.5 inches in size. You can also mix it with sphagnum moss to improve results.
• Repotting should only be done every two to three years when you notice that the media has become aged or roots have started outgrowing the pot.

Humidity and Fertilizer Requirements

• In a raft or a cork, the bare-rooted Cattleya Amethystoglossa will require up to 70 percent humidity level.
• Potted plants tend to retain moisture longer, so the atmospheric humidity up to 50-60 percent should be sufficient.
• As we always tell our readers: investing in a humidifier for your orchids will go a long way. It enables you to monitor and provide the required humidity levels to your plants as well as calculate their watering needs.
• Invest in a quality fertilizer and use it every two weeks. For bare-rooted plants, use only one-eighth of the average strength of the fertilizer to protect the roots. For potted plants, use the fertilizer at one-half strength.

Cattleya Amethystoglossa Hybrids

Every florist loves hybrids! After all, what could be better than combining the properties of two of your favorite plants into one?

Cattleya as genera crosses readily with its own members as well as members of other genera. With only a little effort, you too can make and grow your own Cattleya hybrids at home.

You can buy the seeds of Amethystoglossa and a compatible species from your local greenhouse or seed vendor. Orchid pollen/ seeds need meticulous handling and are prone to damage easily.

However, they cross-pollinate readily and give rise to beautiful hybrids. These beautiful creations also require more or less the same conditions as their parent plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you prevent root rot in Cattleya Amethystoglossa?

To prevent root rot in Cattleya Amethystoglossa, ensure good drainage by using a well-draining potting mix, avoid overwatering, and provide adequate airflow to the roots.

2. How do you increase air circulation for Cattleya Amethystoglossa?

To increase air circulation for Cattleya Amethystoglossa, use a fan or place the plant in a location with good air movement. Avoid overcrowding the plant with other plants or objects that restrict air flow.

3. What are the characteristics of Cattleya Amethystoglossa?

Cattleya Amethystoglossa is a species of orchid known for its large, showy flowers with purple lips and yellow or white petals.

Conclusion

Now that you know how straightforward it is to cultivate Cattleya Amethystoglossa and get them to bloom, we bet you are feeling pretty optimistic and pumped up.

Let us quickly recap the most important points to keep in mind so you can go and become a great Cuttelaya parent;

• Cattleya Amethystoglossa is a large-sized orchid that produces vibrant, fragrant, lavender blooms
• You can grow this orchid mounted to a raft/cork or potted in a pot with bark and sphagnum moss media
• We recommend potting them because of their larger size
• During the growth period, give them abundant water. Let the roots dry before watering the next time
• Use distilled, rainwater, or tap water that has no harsh chemicals
• These plants like indirect bright light. Place them in an eastern or southern-facing window
• They require higher temperatures all year round
• A drop in temperature from day to night stimulates their buds
• Bare rooted specimens need humidity around 70 percent, whereas potted varieties need around 50-60 percent
• Use a fertilizer every two weeks during the growth period

Now that we have all that covered, why not go and get some Cattleya Amethystoglossa for your home? In a couple of months, your house will be full of beautiful flowers and a heavenly scent that will leave you refreshed.