Orchid of the month.
11:51 PM
Potinara Hoku Gem ( Slc. Tangerine Jewel x Bl. Richard Mueller) is truly a perfect compact cattleya for the home hobbyist. A resilient and rapidly growing plant, it rewards the grower with spotted yellow blooms several times a year, on multiple growths.
It can begin blooming in a 2" pot and if given space, can grow to about 8" tall. It can also be maintained in a smaller pot by dividing, where it will continue to blooms quite happily. The plant pictured is grown in a 2.5" deep rose pot.
This orchid thrives in full bright light, even some dappled sunlight, and like to dry out slightly between watering. Fertilize it three times a month with an orchid plant food during the warmer months and less frequently in winter. Though these orchids do fine with drier air than most other orchids, try to provide at least 50% humidity. Night time temperatures of around 60 with daytime summer highs of 80 should suit them fine.
The plants can flower anytime during the year, producing starry-shaped blooms that open coral-pink and then fade to bright yellow over time, as shown in the photo to the left. Be sure to keep cattleyas moist when they are in bud or bloom. This is an easy and satisfying cattleya hybrid to grow.
