Cattleya pumila

Regulars will; know that we are massive fans of small Brazilian Cattleyas, and one of the loveliest is Cattleya pumila.

Cattleya pumila is a compact species with 10cm stiff leaves topping stout pseudobulbs. The flowers are produced in Autumn from the centre of developing growths. 

The large pink flowers are held well clear of the leaves and are long lasting as long as they are kept dry. We have three clones, two of the more usual pink colour and and almost white 'Coerulea' form.

Cattleya pumila is reported as an epiphyte in humid forest along rivers in the state if Minas Gerais which is inland from the areas of Brazil we have explored in Rio de Janeiro and where it receives less rainfall than the coastal mountains. Plants are found from 600 -1300m altitude.

We find that in cultivation plants enjoy regular watering but excellent drainage, and ideally suited to growing mounted. We grow plants near the top of our cloud forest greenhouse where plants are a little dryer and warmer than other plants.

We find that plants resent too much moss around their roots and we remount and split plants if moss takes over the mounts. After flowering when growths mature we give plants a dryer winter rest but make sure that plants don't shrivel.