BROUGHTONIA CULTURE
Including Cattleyopsis & Laeliopsis

GROWING INFORMATION
1. Light
2. Water & Humidity
3. Feeding (Fertilizer)
4. Growing Medium

LINKS

Jamaica Orchid Society
American Orchid Society
Orchid Photo Page

Orchid Shows in The Caribbean 2006 - 2007

The Broughtonia, Cattleyopsis and Laeliopsis species occur naturally in the northern Caribbean and the Bahamas. The genus Broughtonia consists of two species Broughtonia sanguinea and Broughtonia negrilensis and both are endemic to Jamaica. The genus Laeliopsis is comprised of two species. Laeliopsis cubensis comes only from Cuba, while Laeliopsis domingensis comes from Hispaniola and Mona Island. Cattleyopsis ortgiesiana is found only in Cuba while Cattleyopsis lindenii is found in Cuba and the Bahamas. Persons who are not entirely familear with these plants tend to confuse Broughtonia negrilensis, Cattleyopsis lindenii and Laeliopsis domingensis. Similarly some individuals tend to confuse Broughtonia sanguinea and Cattleyopsis ortgiesiana two entirely different species.

All of these species com from fairly dry to very dry environments with plenty of light and good air movement (breezes). They are all epiphytic (growing on trees) and sometimes lithophytic (growing on rocks). Mostly they are found on small trees in the dry kimestone forests, typical of the coastal areas of the Caribbean islands. In some instances they are also found growing naturally on large trees in wet areas. In these areas the plants are to be found on the high branches where they receive high light intensities and are able to dry out rapidly after they receive rainfall. They all mainly occur at sea level thought some plants of these species are also found at elevations close to 2,000 feet.

For the most part they all prefer to be mounted on rafts of coconut husk, tree fren root, cork, driftwood or some similar material. They like to be exposed to high light intensities - 50% shade in the Tropics or about  2,500 - 3,000 foot candles of light.

POTTING OR MOUNTING
In general these species do not usually do well when potted as most growers tend to keep the growing medium too wet. They are best mounted on rafts of tree fern root, cork or on hard-wood branches, like black mangrove (without the bark). When mounting the Broughtonias and Laeliopsis domingensis it is always recommended that all the roots be completely removed. Trim them as close to the rhizome as possible. Then fix the plant firmly to the medium using wire, panty-hose, etc., ensuring that it is firmly in place. The plant will produce new roots within a few weeks and secure itself firmly to the new mount. This treatment is recommended for plants that have been mounted for two or more years and   on which the backbulbs have started to die back.

WATERING & FERTILIZING
Water well then allow the roots to dry out completely before watering again. These plants grow naturally in very arrid conditions and rot quickly if over-watered. Plants grown on cork require more frequent watering than those mounted on tree fren root. In tropical areas these plants will need to be watered almost daily if mounted on cork for optimal growth. Fertilize once weekly using an N.P.K. 20:20:20 mixture or similar at a rate of 1/2 teaspoonfull per gallon of water. Do not allow the fertilizer mixture to wet the flowers as this will damage the blooms.

PESTS & PESTICIDES
Scale, mealy bug and spider mites are the main pests which affect the Broughtonias in the Tropics. In general they do not seem to tolerate the systemic insecticides very well neither do they tolerate Malathion well. Malathion damages the flower spikes and blooms and 'Cygon 2E' (Dimethioate) kills these plants. They seem to tolerate 'Diazinon' ('Basudin') well and in my experience this is all that is required to rid these plants of a scale or mealy bug infestation.