Cattleya Orchid Rlc. 'Amazing Thailand'

Intermediate. These huge, fragrant flowers (to 12cm or more) are a sensational blend of colour, from a white base they have caramel yellow and pink, red and purple markings. The colours deepen as the blooms mature and in warmer climes they tend to be darker. The lip has a beautiful ruffle along the edge. The perfume is like a sweet lemongrass.

Plants will take 2-3 years to flower and are supplied in a 5cm pot.

Cattleya Orchids are readily hybridised, resulting in a never ending array of colours, each competing to be the most glamorous and showy. The leaves are bright green and grow upward to outward on vertical stems. The colourful, waxy blooms easily last a month or more.

They are part of a group of modern day Cattleya Mericlone Orchids that have been blended using a number of genus, including Brassavola, Lelia, Sophronites, Epidendrum and Cattleya. It is for this reason that there is the BLC initial in some cultivar names; Brassavola x Laelia x Cattleya.

Cattleya Orchids are intermediate growers and thrive where they receive a distinction between winter and summer, so Temperate to Sub Tropical zones are ideal. They will grow and flower in Tropical zones but need a little extra care. In Cool zones they will also grow and flower, but need protection from winter wet, so should be kept under cover. Their ideal temperature range is 18C at night and 25-30C during the day.

Grow Cattleya Orchids in bright, filtered light. They are suitable for growing indoors in bright positions such as the kitchen, but should be kept away from heating ducts. The light is the most important element for flowering. Water well, then allow to dry out before watering again.