Cattleya intermedia - Intermediate Cattleya

Cattleya intermedia

Native to:  Brazil. Cattleya intermedia is native to central and southern Brazil along the Atlantic coast. Plants perch themselves on tree branches at or above eye level. This species is also found close to the coast in parts of Uruguay and Argentina.

Plant Size: Fairly Compact. Bifoliate. Cattleya intermedia has short pseudobulbs are covered in papery sheaths that grow to 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). Flowers emerge from a green sheath that forms between two or more green leaves.

Flower Size: 5 inches (12.5 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant. The flowers of Cattleya intermedia are blush white with a dark magenta-rose lip. Three to six flowers are produced on the flower spike.

Bloom Season: Spring, Summer

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Cattleya intermedia is extremely adaptable and can be grown warm to cool which makes the plants very easy to cultivate. Their native habitat has high humidity and the plants moist (but not soggy) roots. Average light is required with good air circulation.

There are several different varieties of this species. Cattleya intermedia var. alba is pure white with just a slight hint of yellow markings on the lip. Cattleya intermedia var. aquinii has a splash of the same color as the lip on the tip of the petals (but not on the sepals). Cattleya intermedia var. coerulea is a blue form of the species. Cattleya intermedia var. punctatissima is another heavily marked purple form. Several other forms exist and some collectors specialize in this species.

Cattleya x picturata is a natural hybrid between Cattleya intermedia and Cattleya guttata.

Synonyms: Cattleya amablis; Cattleya amethestina; Cattleya amethystina; Cattleya aquinii; Cattleya candida; Cattleya gibeziae; Cattleya ianthina; Cattleya intermedia var. amethystina; Cattleya intermedia var. punctatissima; Cattleya intermedium; Cattleya loddigesii var. amethystina; Cattleya maritima; Cattleya ovata; Epidendrum intermedium