Orchid of the day: Cattleya cernua

Cattleya cernua

Our Cattleya cernua, formerly called Sophronitis cernua, or our 'Christmas orchid', is blooming again this holiday season.  This orchid is a prolific bloomer, check out my earlier posts from 2014, 2015, January 2017 and December 2017. This miniature orchid, which originates from the Minas Gerais region in Brazil, displays bright orange-red flowers that can be a little larger than an inch (up to 3 cm). This time we have nineteen opened flowers with many buds coming. We are not sure how many more will develop but these flowers can last up to three to four weeks.

I really like this orchid especially with the Spanish moss draped on the mount. This orchid is a warm grower and requires a lot of light. It definitely does well mounted and receives water regularly. The roots like moist but airy conditions. The Spanish moss drapes the roots and prevents desiccation when the sun or light is strong.

A) The entire plant outside.

B) Zooming in the flowers

C) Three developing buds seen in this photo.

D) Two days later the three buds are opening.

E) Our C. cernua today indoors.

If you manage to click on my earlier posts over the years, you will see how this orchid has grown over the time. I hope it will continue to do well in our care.