Cattleya Zip x Rhyncholaelia digbyana

€28.00

Quantity

Expected availability: end of June

Orchid in in vitro culture – Lot of 15 plants minimum (see more)
Cattleya (Zip × Rhyncholaelia digbyana) – Technical Data Sheet

Origin and Classification

Name of the hybrid: Cattleya (Zip × Rhyncholaelia digbyana)
Parents:Cattleya Zip: Complex hybrid often derived from Cattleya labiata and Cattleya trianae, known for its colorful, fragrant, and medium-sized flowers.
Rhyncholaelia digbyana (formerly Brassavola digbyana): Species native to Honduras and Belize, famous for its immaculate white flowers, intense nocturnal fragrance, and elongated pseudobulbs.
Hybrid objective: Combine the robustness and varied color palette of Cattleya Zip with the flower purity and nocturnal fragrance of Rhyncholaelia digbyana.
Classification: Orchidaceae family, Epidendroideae subfamily, Laeliinae tribe.

Size: Medium to large (40–70 cm in height).
Pseudobulbs: Spindle-shaped and elongated, green or slightly purple (15–25 cm long).
Leaves: Lanceolate, leathery, light green to medium green (20–30 cm long).
Roots: Thick, silvery, adapted to absorb ambient humidity.

Shape: Star-shaped flowers, with wide petals and a fringed, slightly wavy lip.
Color:Creamy white to pale pink, sometimes with lavender or purple shades (inherited from Cattleya Zip).
The lip can be darker or striated with contrasting patterns.
Fragrance: Intense and sweet, especially in the evening and at night (influence of Rhyncholaelia digbyana).
Flower size: 10–15 cm in diameter.
Blooming period: Spring and autumn, sometimes year-round under optimal conditions.
Bloom duration: 3–4 weeks per flower.

Ideal rate: 60–80% (simulating tropical rainforest humidity).
Tip: Use a humidifier or a pebble tray to maintain humidity in dry indoor environments.

Intensity: 3,000–5,000 lux (bright but indirect light).
Ideal source: East or west window, or artificial lighting (horticultural LEDs).
To avoid: Direct sunlight during the hottest hours.

Growth period (spring-summer): Water every 3–4 days, letting the substrate dry out slightly between waterings.
Rest period (autumn-winter): Reduce to 1–2 times per week.
Method: Soaking (10–15 min) or watering from above with soft water.

Mix: Highly draining and airy – medium pine bark (50%), sphagnum moss (20%), charcoal (15%), perlite (15%).
Repotting: Every 2–3 years, in a slightly snug pot.

Guideline: Orchid fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, every 2 weeks during the growth period.
Rest period: Reduce fertilization in winter.

To maximize nocturnal fragrance: Maintain good air circulation around the plants. Ensure a distinct day/night temperature drop.
To preserve root health: Use a well-draining substrate and avoid standing water. Avoid excessive fertilization, especially during the rest period.
To boost vigor: Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer (20-20-20) during active growth. Monitor ambient humidity, especially in winter.

This hybrid is prized for its elegant flowers and enchanting nocturnal fragrance, combining the best qualities of its two parents.
A lot of 15 plants allows for consistent, grouped cultivation, ideal for collectors and enthusiasts of fragrant orchids.
Plants resulting from this hybrid can show a wide variability in flower color, offering beautiful diversity within a single lot.