CATTLEYA AURANTIACA - BELIZE'S ORANGE ORCHID

CHRISTINA'S "FLOWERS OF BELIZE" Series (Part Thirteen)

Brought to you by Black Orchid Management, Ltd.

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ORANGE ORCHIDS OF BELIZE
This orchid can be found in Belize, in the low mountain and tropical rain forests between 500 and 5000 feet.

At times, if you are hiking through the Belize rainforest, you will see these orchids.  They are so colorful and seem to decorate the rainforest, simply by its presence.  They are beautiful!

It is the most northern-growing species in the Cattleya genus family. This species is very adaptable and easy to grow.  Therefore it grows easily in natural temperatures ranging from extremely hot to extremely cold.

Plants can be found growing as exposed rock outcroppings, or along tree branches.

This flower grows vigorously, quickly forming a large specimen plant in a very short period of time.  It is a late winter to mid spring bloomer, with 2 to 12 fragrant flowers from the top of the new mature growth.   On occasion some flowers self pollinate, and therefore never open fully.

Flower size is about 1 inch wide. The flowers of Cattleya aurantiaca form at the top of a 6 1/2 inch stem. A total of two (2) to eleven (11) flowers top each stem. Some cultivars have flowers that do not open fully. Some flowers self-pollinate prior to opening on individuals from the northernmost parts of the species range. In mild climates this species does well naturalized in the trees.

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