Cattleya Orchid
Cattleya is the classic 'corsage orchid' — large, ruffled and richly fragrant, with a flamboyant frilled lip that made it the emblem of old-fashioned glamour. Blooms come in lavender, white, pink, coral and yellow, often with a contrasting throat, and their heady perfume sets them apart from most orchids. More delicate and shorter-lived than dendrobium or vanda, cattleya is used where it can be shown off: corsages, boutonnieres and luxury focal work. It remains a traditional Mother's Day flower and a byword for refined, showy beauty.
| Family | Orchidaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Central and South America |
| Peak season | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Availability | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Stem length | 20–40 cm |
| Vase life | 5–10 days |
| Colors | lavender, white, pink, coral, yellow, purple |
| Price tier | premium |
Handle the delicate petals as little as possible, as they bruise easily. Recut the stem and use clean, room-temperature water, keeping the flower cool but never below 7C. Keep it away from ripening fruit and drafts, mist lightly, and display out of direct sun. Use it soon, as cattleya is the shortest-lived of the cut orchids.
- •Handle the delicate petals as little as possible
- •Recut and use clean, room-temperature water
- •Keep cool but never below 7C
- •Keep away from fruit and drafts
- •Mist lightly and display out of direct sun
- •Use it soon — cattleya is the shortest-lived orchid
