Cattleya The genus was named in 1824 by John Lindley after Sir William Cattley, usually called "the queen of flowers"
Cattleyas usually tolerate intermediate to warm conditions and can be grown in medium size fir bark. Plant prefers drying periods between watering and bright light is recommended. Lengthen drying period a bit in the winter.
They are widely known for their large, showy flowers, and were used extensively in hybridization for the cut-flower trade until quite recently. The typical flower has three rather narrow petals: two are fringed, and the third is the conspicuous lip with a fringed margin and various markings and specks. At the base, the fringed margins are folded into a tube. Each flower stalk originates from a pseudobulb. The number of flowers varies; it can be just one or two, or sometimes up to ten.
