Vivi's Orchid Corner

a friendly, informative orchid column

Vivi's Orchid Corner

October, 1998; Article 33

Cattleya intermedia

Dear Orchid Friends:
This month's article features the species Cattleya intermedia. This Brazilian species was "discovered" in 1824. It is found from Rio de Janeiro to other Southern states such as Sao Paulo, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul (and others) and the islands off the coast of Southern Brazil. Brazilians do cherish this orchid and several Brazilian Orchid Societies use this orchid as their logo. The Cattleya intermedia has a unique and unforgettable shape. The flower has white or pale rose elliptical petals and sepals that are distinctly separated from each other. The trumpet lip has smooth side lobes that enclose or enfold over the column. The end of the lip or apical portion is ruffled and flares outward and is a deep magenta or wine color.
Slender psuedobulbs grow 7 - 50 cm tall with little storage areas in their pseudobulbs. The plant usually has two (sometimes three) oblong to elliptical leaves arising from the top of the psuedobulbs. Flowers are borne on spikes and produce one flower or clusters of three to four flowers (sometimes more).
This species flowers Spring to Summer. Spring time in Brazil is September to November. The intermedias that I have continue to bloom on the Brazilian seasonal cycles (our autumn). Getting these orchids to bloom in our spring is probably dependent on how well acclimated they are, maturity of the plant and success of the grower to bring them into bloom.
Varieties: There are several varieties of Cattleya intermedia and I will describe only a few of them. A man by the name of Graham originally brought the C. intermedia into cultivation in 1824. He was in Brazil during that time and brought them back to Glasgow. He successfully brought them to flower while in Glasgow in approximately 1826. Hooker further described this species in 1828.
Cattleya intermedia variety alba was reported in 1909. This variety is white and may have a greenish tinge on the tips of the tepals. It was found on the island of Santo Amero in the state of Sao Paulo. The alba variety remains popular today. Another variety, C. intermedia var. punctata (or punctatissima), is also white but has delicate red sprinkles on the outer aspect of the tepals.
Semi-alba varieties also have some pale pink bands on the midlobes, others have a dark magenta spot in the white throat. The semi-alba variety, C. intermedia var. venosa has pink veins on the lip. Cattleya intermedia var. vinicolor is actually a semi-alba form. Its petals and sepals are white with a deep wine colored apical lobe on the lip. Another variety is the vinicolor-escurowhich has an even darker lip. A man by the name of Rolfe described another interesting variety, var. pictura in the year 1893. This variety has pale pink veins and splashes of pink on the tepals. The throat is striped in bright amethyst.
One of the most striking varieties is the C. intermedia var. aquinii. It was named after Francisco d'Aquino who propagated the plant. He had originally received a part of the plant from a friend, da Silva Valadares. Francisco d'Aquino sold his propagated plants and eventually a man named Barbosa Rodrigues thought it was a new species and originally called it Cattleya aquinii. Subsequently, Rolfe recognized it as a variety of the intermedia in 1900 and so named it C. intermedia var. aquinii.This particular plant is an aberrant form of the intermedias. The petals are much wider and have a ruffled edge which appear to curve outward and back. Petals are white with magenta ruffles. These are called splash petals.
Temperatures: Cattleya intermedias like bright light as do other cattleyas. They do like high humidity and tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Ideal climates are intermediate to warm, yet also do well in low winter temperatures. They can be found in low lying coastal areas at sea level to swamps and higher montane regions. The Southern Brazilian states do get quite cold and rainy in winter with hot humid summers. The Serra dos Orgaos (Organ Mountains) are cool, subtropical and receive quite a bit of rain. The intermedias are quite adaptable.
Water: These orchids tend to dry out easily in the hot summer months. Their psuedobulbs are not as fleshy as other cattleyas with little in the way of storage reservoirs. So water well in the summer and allow them to dry out between waterings. During the winter, provide them with drier conditions during this resting time. Fertilize as you would with your other cattleyas. Fertilize regularly approximately every other week or use a weaker solution and fertilize weekly when in active growth. When the plants are not in active growth they can be fertilized once a month.
Light: Light is one of the most crucial factors. Cattleya intermedias need bright light and some sun. Some of the plants in Brazil grow directly in the sun along rocky coasts. Sufficient light is essential for healthy plants and flower production.
Grow your intermedias in pots of bark, lava or a mixture. I use clay pots on benches in a mixture of alliflor and bark. Some Brazilian growers like to have their pots suspended and others mount them on bark. Use your best judgment and consider what typically works well for you. The Brazilian orchid species are quite interesting. I hope you enjoy growing your Cattleya intermedias.

Until next time,

Vivi