Cattleya maxima

Cattleya maxima plants love a frequent watering schedule, but requires good drainage. The roots and media should never be left wet for extended periods of time. When in active growth, water your orchid twice to three times a week, hydrate it until runoff begins to appear and monitor it in between waterings for signs of over or under hydration. In the wintertime, reduce the amount of water, but hyrdate your plant lightly to maintain the healthy root systems.

Cattleya maxima thrives best under light shade or partial light conditions, but not direct sunlight. Bright and filtered light is best for enhancing flowering. Providing the right light and shade levels is essential for optimum health, and moving your Cattleya maxima to different locations throughout the year allows it to get the best possible light for its blooming cycle.

Cattleya maxima should have an ideal temperature range of 50 - 85°F (10 - 30°C). For optimal blooming, ensuring the plants have a temperature drop of at least 10°F (5°C) between day and night is essential. Also, be sure to keep Cattleya Maxima away from direct drafts or heating vents, as these could shock the root systems and leave them vulnerable to disease.

A humid environment is essential for Cattleya maxima to thrive. A relative humidity of 60-80% is ideal, but Cattleya maxima plants can tolerate lower relative humidity as long as more frequent misting keeps the root systems hydrated. Regular misting helps to keep your orchid in peak condition and helps to maintain a healthy root system.

Cattleya maxima does best in a soil blend that consists of fir bark, sphagnum moss, coconut husk, and peat moss. These components provide abundant aeration, hydration, and nutrition. Additionally, these components provide the necessary acidity that best encourages growth and flowering.

Fertilizer is not essential for Cattleya maxima, but will help promote peak flowering. When it is time to fertilize, orchid specific blends are preferred. Look for balanced fertilizers with an N-P-K ratio around 2-1-2. If using liquid fertilizer, it is best to fertilize lightly once a week, as Cattleya maxima are sensitive to over-feeding.

Cattleya Maxima is prone to common pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies. When spotting an infestation, use the correct insecticidal soap and reduce water from the affected areas to keep spores from spreading. Meticulous cleaning and daily observations can help protect against infestations from occurring. Additionally, using sticky traps are great for monitoring the level of infestations and tracking the movement of pests around the orchid.

Typically, you will need to repot your Cattleya maxima every 1-2 years when it is done flowering. It is best to repot your Cattleya maxima in the beginning of the Spring, while the plant is still in its active growth season. For the repotting process, be sure to harvest healthy roots, trim away any dead or sickly root tips, and accurately determine the correct pot size for root growth.

Cattleya Maxima generally do not require a lot of pruning. But if dead leaves, flowers, or branches are developing and need to be removed, it is best to prune these away with clean, sharp pruning shears. Cattleya Maxima can be repotted after it is done flowering, in well-draining material like bark, coconut husk, and sphagnum moss.

Mulching is beneficial for all houseplants, as it helps to retain moisture and keep soil temperatures consistent. Cattleya maxima plants do best when mulched with small bark chips, which will not only help lock in moisture, but also support healthy root nutrients.

Like other orchid species, Cattleya maxima can be propagated through division. When the plant has grown to a mature size, simply locate the middle of the stem and pull apart the two halves. Use clean scissors to delicately cut off any straggling pieces of stem, and then pot each half into fresh soil. Monitor your propagation process, and keep an eye out for new growth.

Cattleya Maxima can become heavy when fully bloomed. Therefore, light wires or sticks are great for providing extra support. Sticks and wires should be lightly secured at the base of the stem, and staked in if necessary.

Cattleya maxima typically goes through a winter dormancy period, similar to other orchids. During this rest period, you should decrease waterings and increase the air ventilation to the plant. If you are unsure if the Cattleya maxima is done with its rest period, keep an eye out for the new buds and foliage that form in the Spring.

Cattleya maxima in non-toxic to pets, and is safe to have in the home.