Cattleya praestans 'Alegría' x self #4805 (approximately 25 seedlings per flask).

The Species: This Brazilian miniature species grows as an epiphyte at elevations between 1950 and 3300 ft. It grows on southeast facing slopes where the prevailing winds bring humid air off the ocean that cools as they rise and produces rainfall during the day and mist and fog at night. The plant is from 3 to 6" tall and the flowers can be from 3 to 5" acrosss. It is reported that this species grows on small diameter trees about 2 to 5" in diameter in rather dense forest so it would receive shady conditions.

Culture: Grow this in intermediate conditions with winter lows in the mid 50F's and moderate day time temperatures in the mid to upper 70F's in summer and a bit cooler in the winter. Rainfall is less during the winter months, but plants should not remain dry for an extended period of time. If your humidity is good, these do well mounted. They can also be grown in small pots or baskets with a fast draining medium that allows the roots to dry quickly.

Parent: Cattleya praestans 'Alegría'