Common Name: Dorman's Cattleya
Native to: Brazil. Cattleya dormaniana is found growing Organ Mountains in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. This species is found growing at moderate elevation and is constantly bathed by fog and mist.
Plant Size: Medium-sized bifoliate Cattleya. Slender, cane-like pseudobulbs have two narrow leaves on top.
Flower Size: 3 inch (8 cm)
Flower Description: Fragrant. The richly colored bronze flowers of Cattleya dormaniana are pleasantly accented with a ruby or magenta lip. Only one or two flowers are produced by each growth.
Bloom Season: Fall
Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm. In its native environment, summer days average 82-84 F (28-29 C), and nights average 71-72 F (22 C), with a diurnal range of 11-12 F (6-7 C). Winter days in its habitat average 77-79 F (25-26 C), and nights average 64-65 F (17-19 C), with a diurnal range of 9-11 F (5-6 C).
Additional Information:
Average to bright Cattleya light. Provide 80-85 percent humidity for most of the year. Its acceptable for summer humidity to drop into the 75-80 percent range. Cattleya dormaniana should be watered regularly throughout the year, but they must dry rapidly after watering. Make sure that the plants never stay dry for long periods of time, however. Give mounted plants a daily misting in summer with a thorough soaking of the entire plant and slab twice a week in summer, or three times a week in extremely hot weather (adjust for your climate). Water should be reduced somewhat in winter, but plants should never stay dry for long periods. Grow Cattleya dormaniana in an open fast draining medium such as coarse bark nuggets. It can also been grown mounted on cork. When mounting, do not use sphagnum moss between the mount and the plant because it retains too much moisture and promotes rot. Divide, repot, or remount only when new root growth is just starting. This lets the plant become established in the shortest possible time with the greatest success. Easy to grow.
Synonyms: Cattleya dormaniana f. alba, Cattleya dormaniana var. alba, Laelia dormaniana, Laeliocattleya dormaniana
