GROWN CATTLEYA ORCHID 
Most people believe that Orchid plants are 
parasites because they cling to trees in their 
natural state of growth. Nothing is further 
from the truth. An Orchid will cling equally as 
well to a pane of glass, a piece of tile, a stone, 
or a lead pipe! If proper proportions of water, 
sunlight and air are given to the plant it will 
grow on almost anything. A parasite is some- 
thing that destroys whatever It clings to. An 
Orchid simply holds on for support. It is the 
history of its very existence. 
In its native state the seeds of a Cattleya 
Orchid are blown by the wind into trees and in 
the crevices of stones. As soon as the roots 
form they will cling to whatever object they are 
in contact with. On this precarious perch begins 
the life cycle of a Cattleya Orchid plant. If it is 
lucky enough to survive to an adult age it will 
begin to flower somewhere between the seventh 
and tenth year. Once it reaches blooming age 
it should continue to flower every year. Some 
of the Cattleya hybrids will often flower twice a 
year. A hybrid is produced by crossing two 
varieties of orchids, thus producing a new, and 
often better breed of Orchid. 
Grown under good conditions Orchids double 
their size in two years. They are then 
transferred into larger pots or they may be split 
up and made into two plants. I have seen a 
thirty year old Orchid plant with as many as 150 
flowers on it at a single time. They do not die 
with old age, but become bigger and bigger each 
year and more productive. Their life span is 
“forever”, so to speak. 
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