Description
Cattleya percivaliana, also known as the Christmas orchid since it flowers around that time of year, is one of the best Cattleya species to grow, as it is very hardy and adapatable. Its blooms smell of citrus and spice (and everything nice), one of the more memorable of orchid fragrances.
A fascinating and storied species, C. percivaliana hails from Venezuela, and comes in a wide range of colors (mostly different shades of lavender). The best and most colorful part is its lip/labellum, described very memorably as ‘a Persian carpet in which dazzling colors prevail’ (by Reichenbach, the great orchid botanist). Wow, it doesn’t get better than that for an orchid description! As one of the smaller Cattleya species, it grows compact (great for windowsills), and you can have a plant producing many flowers in a 4-inch pot.
Please take a look at the photos to get a sense of the size of the plants we’re offering. We have large seedling size plants (SD2 size) about two years from reaching Blooming Size, although a few of these will likely bloom in one year. On occasion, we may offer Near Blooming Size or Blooming Size plants, as they become available.
C. percivaliana is exceptionally easy to grow. It will do well with bright light, but avoid prolonged exposure to sun, or the leaves will burn. They will grow well in chunky bark, watered once to twice per week, the goal to keep the medium moist, approaching dryness between waterings. If it gets dry, no big deal, just drench it next time around. Fertilize twice per month with dilute plant food.
