Cattleya schilleriana is endemic to Bahia state in coastal eastern Brazil. In nature it grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte on trees or rocks along the rivers at an elevation of 656 – 2,625 feet. Today it is considered extinct in nature. It is a small sized, cool to hot growing, epiphytic, bifoliate orchid with club-shaped, sulcate, often tinted reddish-purple, 5.5 – 6 inch long pseudobulbs carrying two 4 inch leaves that are deep green above and reddish purple below. Mature plants of C. schilleriana are approximately 10 inches tall, individual flowers are about 4 inches across and there may be four to six flowers per inflorescence on a well-grown plant.
C. schilleriana blooms in the summer and fall on a short inflorescence carrying long-lived, 4 to 5 flowers that are deliciously fragrant, waxy and have a high sheen. Petals and sepals, in varying shades of tan, brown and mahogany are overlaid with much more intensely colored spots. Perhaps the most striking feature of all is the lip, which is white with rich magenta striations. The flowers of C. schilleriana last for approximately three to four weeks.
C. schilleriana grows well in a pot with medium-sized bark, or on a mount with a layer of sphagnum moss under or over the roots to ensure a reserve of moisture. It needs very bright light to bloom well. The photoperiod must be at least 12 hours. To grow this species, artificial lighting systems are indispensable, as natural light is often not enough. New technology advancements in LED lighting now make it possible to bloom and enjoy these plants in the home without a greenhouse.
Tolerant of temperature extremes, C. schilleriana can briefly tolerate temperatures as low as 50° F and as high as 100° F. Grow best in intermediate to warm temperatures, very bright, indirect light in high humidity (70 percent humidity for most of the year) with good air circulation. Allow plants to dry slightly between thorough waterings. Mounted plants may need to be watered 1 – 2 times a day during summer. Provide a cooler, dry winter rest period by reducing water and cease fertilizer in late fall through spring and allowing nighttime winter temperatures to drop to 60° F. Resume regular watering and fertilizer when new growths emerge in early spring. Blooming occurs after the growths mature in April through June. Generally, new roots do not emerge until immediately after flowering. This species does not like to have its roots disturbed, so repot only when necessary to replace degraded media. Repotting is best performed after new roots have formed. Easy to grow and flower. Highly recommended for species collector and lovers of fragrant orchids.
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PLEASE NOTE: Since this is a Seedling Population (not a Mericlone which produces exact duplicates), the picture is for illustration purposes only. No two plants will be the same from this cross, and they will flower in a range of possibilities coming from the two parents.