Cattleya orchids are documented as one of the oldest cultivated orchids.
The Cattleya labiata from the mountain forests of Brazil was introduced around 1818.
The best known natural genera of the Cattleya's are Brassavola, Encyclia, Laelia, and Sophronitis.
These have been interbred for almost 200 years creating thousands of hybrids.
Cattleya orchid species can be divided into two types unifoliate which means they have one leaf and bifoliate which have two leaves.
Both types are evergreen.
The unifoliate species have large blooms with frilly lips, and their main colors are white, pink, lavender, mauve, and yellow.
The bifoliate species are less frilly and also come in colors of green and brown and can have speckles.
Cattleya orchids have pseudobulbs that are club shaped and their leaves are a dark green.
Flower buds come from the apex of the pseudobulb usually on a short spike.
Cattleya orchids like to have good light, however they cannot be put in direct sunlight without burning their leaves.
They also have resting periods when growth becomes very slow.
Their normal growing happens in the autumn and they grow through winter.
When they are not actively growing they need to remain fairly dry.
When new growth starts appearing water them regularly.
Cattleya orchids produce copious roots that come from the base of the pseudobulb.
When new growth develops sometimes the roots grow over the rim and well outside the pot becoming a problem.
If re-potting is necessary it is best to re-pot as soon as you see new growth.
At this time the older roots can be cut back without putting the plant into shock.
Grow Cattleya orchids in pots between six and eight inches in diameter.
Use coarse bark compost.
Water them often in the summer and sparingly in the winter.
Mist their foliage in summer and keep shaded.
Some Cattleya orchids you might consider growing are: Cattleya Andean Mist is a pure white orchid with slight yellow color on the lip around the column.
It usually produces one to three, four inch across, fragrant flowers in the summer.
Cattleya Golden Girl is a bright orange autumn flowering hybrid that produces a good size bloom.
Cattleya skinneri the national flower of Costa Rica has many hybrids and colors.
There are many more that cannot all be listed here.
Many Cattleya orchids are available that can easily be grown in your home or office.
They can bring not only beauty but also a pleasant fragrance when flowering.
Armed with a little information any one can routinely care for and grow most orchids and Cattleya's can be quite rewarding.
If you are thinking about growing an orchid for the first time, I recommend trying a Cattleya.