The Cattleya in detail

There are 65 different species of Cattleya. Despite their different origins its particular structure is essentially the same. They are sympodial orchids, which implies a division of the plant as and when the years. Each pseudobulb can produce either a sheet or two sheets: in the first case, she was appointed bilofis, which are more numerous in the second flag. The pseudobulbs of subalpine not oval as it is common to see in other species, they are almost the shape of a cylinder. Of them are born two leaves and flowers are more discreet than gender flag. This kind it has small round pseudobulbs that provide a single sheet is very thick. In contrast, the size of their flowers are rather impressive. Roots in all cases are enormous. We must not forget that the Cattleyas are epiphytes. They cling to the branches of trees in order to develop in the best conditions, which implies great freedom given to their roots to expand and grow. They can grow up and be several meters long. However no concerns on this point, yours have been acclimatized before being sold in stores, which will prevent any attempt to invade your home Good to know: The Cattleyas are divided into three groups that define their flowering cycle. Some will bloom up to three times a year, without rest, this is the group 1. Group 2 will bloom only once a year in late December early January, and the flowers appear all over the same time and all the shoot last year. They will return in a period of rest when empty sheaths appear after ripening after maturation. The third group produces leaves throughout the year but blooms only once in the summer.

Maintaining a Lycaste

The Lycaste was named after the daughter of the king of Troy, but it is also known as a "white nun". Description Approximately 5 cm, its leaves are pesudobulbes give bow and go hand in hand, they may be from 30cm to 1 meter high and 3-30 cm broad. Flowering lasts between 1-3 months, it is first announced by a flower that will be wider and flourish as the following few weeks before giving way to others. No fear will make the following still around 22 cm. All this makes a fantastic flowering periods, but the flower is more beautiful the more it seems to be demanding. Culture The Lycaste is growing cold, his need for light is very important but direct sunlight damaging. For example, between May and October, find him space in the shade in your balcony or garden. Watering is especially since it starts at the arrival of new shoots in late winter, and the substrate must always be a little dry between waterings. Allow about 4 days between each one, note that the plant is delicate, so it will have the soft water and at room temperature: the most appropriate is rainwater. Every 3-4 weeks add a diluted dose of fertilizer but to stop paying at the beginning of a breakout. Maintenance Temperature is another crucial point that you must fix your attention. Especially note that this orchid will not support more than 28 ° C in the room and ventilate well environment. Substrates made of clay balls, charcoal and bark of conifers will change every two years or when there is more room in the pot, but only after the flowering period

The virtues of the orchid

In every country where orchids took root, people attribute to large properties, they are exploited in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, health and even fair trade. A little bit of ... Depending on the variety you choose, you can anoint you a flavor of lemon, raspberry, honey and even chocolate. For a pleasant scent and long, do not hesitate to grow an orchid. For a soft smell of chocolate choose Loddegesii Cattleya, while Cattleya Walkériana you into an atmosphere with its delicious smell of cinnamon in another genre, Dendrobium Bellatalum excite your senses with the fragrance of lemon-orange. Make your chosen among the 30 000 different species, you will inevitably find the fragrance that suits you. Most cosmetic brands have understood because you will find more and more properties of the orchid in their new products. Not only the full range of beauty products using the virtues enriching and moisturizing orchid, but now the spa salons, and other forms offer mainly based on extracts of orchid. Cheers! In many countries, the orchid is not used only for outpatient care to our body. It has aphrodisiac among Russians and Turkey, neutralizes any seizure and tapeworm in South America, calm your headaches in Africa, it also treats of gout and rheumatism in another part of the Earth . This is a plant that has been exploited ever since man discovered it, there are millions of years: it is crushed, dried, boiled, and each time found a property that can improve conditions, alleviate and sometimes save Man. The orchid is money The last virtue of this plant is exceptional precisely on this ancestral knowledge that some companies want to exploit. This time, the global voice rises so that the orchids are not uprooted from their natural habitat to be treated in rich countries so that they only enjoy the financial benefits. They will be operated on placeet let poor countries from which they originate have the chance to become rich in their turn.

Dendrobium aberrans or the little fairy bell

Among dendrobiums, there is a lovely miniature variety came straight from Papua and New Guinea. Its flowers are only 1 cm and are white or pinkish white. The Dendrobium aberrans is epiphytic, its leaves 4 to 10 cm in length, its pseudobulbs are spherical and rhizome can make up to 20 cm to bring these tiny flowers. This plant is drooping and each rod increased from 2 to 6 flowers, which makes it a gem among the orchids. It will offer flowers for 6 months in winter, following all the following conditions. Place it on a sheet of cork, because even in a pot large enough with the proper substrate, these roots running around outside, then go in easier. Botanists have made this particular choice because it raises its original roots of trees, of course, but also the moss and ferns. However, if you do not have the ability to place high up, feel free to use the pot, rather than plastic clay to not let the roots rot with too much moisture. To choose the substrate polystyrene, conifer bark very thin, almost to dust, and sphagnum, easy to find in stores. The mixture will be quite draining for irrigation to give twice a week but less common in winter because the evaporation will be slower. For water, only one choice, and for all orchids, the rain water. If you live in a big city, do not take this water before 30 minutes because of rain, passing in its atmosphere, it will first retrieve all the harmful substances. Type of fertilizer as fertilizer, we recommend a 10-10-10 NPK given diluted once a week, but nothing in the rest period, immediately after flowering. This orchid likes the heat and light and this is saying, we need to give between 25 000 and 40 000 lux: take a light meter to do well. She will love direct sunlight, but note that the sunlight coming through the window in summer burn leaves and put his health at risk. Sure side heat 18 ° C minimum at night in summer and winter. And take the right equipment to assess the ambient humidity and warrant him from 70 to 90% humidity. Much time and patience but what result at the finish.