Cattleya / Sophronitis coccinea 4 N x wittigiana

In vitro pot containing a minimum of 15 plants (see more depending on the species)

Cattleya / Sophronitis coccinea 4N × Sophronitis wittigiana

(Tetraploid hybrid between two Sophronitis species, now classified under the genus Cattleya)

Origin and Classification

• Type: Tetraploid (4N) artificial hybrid, resulting from the cross between:Cattleya coccinea (formerly Sophronitis coccinea): Brazil (states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo), scarlet flowers, small and compact. Cattleya wittigiana (formerly Sophronitis wittigiana): Brazil (Minas Gerais), pink to purple flowers, slightly larger.
  

• Family: Orchidaceae (subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Laeliinae).

• Special feature: Tetraploid (4N) plants are more robust, with larger and more resilient flowers than diploid forms.

Appearance

• Size: Compact to small orchid (15-30 cm in height).

• Pseudobulbs: Small and ovoid (2-4 cm), reddish or dark green, clustered on a short rhizome.

• Leaves: Lanceolate, leathery, dark green (5-10 cm long), 1 leaf per pseudobulb (characteristic of former Sophronitis species).

• Roots: Fine and whitish, typical of epiphytic orchids.

Flowers

• Shape: Flowers in terminal clusters (2-5 flowers per spike), small but highly colorful (3-5 cm in diameter). Broad and rounded petals and sepals, with a tubular and fringed lip.

• Color: Scarlet red to bright pink (inherited from C. coccinea), sometimes with purple nuances (influence of C. wittigiana). The lip is often darker than the petals.

• Fragrance: Light, slightly sweet.

• Bloom duration: 2-3 weeks per flower, but the spike can bloom multiple times a year under good conditions.

• Blooming period: Spring and autumn (multiple blooms possible if conditions are favorable).

Cultivation

Ideal Conditions

Climate

• Temperature:Day: 18-25°C (avoid excessive heat). Night: 12-15°C (day/night drop is crucial for blooming). Minimum: 10°C (protect from frost).
  

• Humidity: 60-70%. Use a humidifier or a pebble tray in dry indoor environments.

Light

• Intensity: Bright but indirect light (50-70% shade).

• To avoid: Direct sunlight (risk of leaf burns).

• Ideal setup: East or west window with a sheer curtain, or under horticultural LEDs (12,000-15,000 lux).

Watering

• Growth period (spring-summer): Daily watering or every 2 days (the substrate must remain slightly moist).

• Winter rest (autumn-winter): Reduce to 2-3 times per week.

• Method: Short soaking (5-10 min) or watering from above.

Substrate

• Highly draining mix: Fine bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and perlite (50% bark, 30% sphagnum, 20% perlite).

• Repotting: Every 1-2 years, in a small pot (these orchids prefer to be tightly potted).