Guarianthe aurantiaca

RHS Plant Profile
orange cattleya

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Guarianthe aurantiaca?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Synonyms

Cattleya aurantiaca

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

A small to medium-sized, tropical, epiphytic orchid, producing a clump of upright, cane-like stems growing from a short, creeping rhizome. Each stem is spindle shaped, broader in it's upper half and carries two apical, freshy, evergreen leaves. The leaves are oval, elliptic, up to 20cm wide and 5-8cm wide. Each stem, also called pseudobulb, serves as the plants storage of water and nutrients. Flowers emerge from the centre, on the tips of mature pseudobulbs. Bud are wrapped in two green, papery sheaths. Two to ten (occasionally more), orange or yellow flowers are carried on short, terminal stems in winter and spring lasting around two weeks. Each individual flower measures 2.5cm across

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus
A small genus of epiphytic orchids which can be found in the wet forests of Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad. Leaves are strap-like and green whilst flowers appear in shades of purple, white and pink
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, coarse bark-based orchid mix with addition of perlite and coconut chips. Provide bright light conditions, but shade from hot, direct mid-day sun. Ideal temperatures are 15°C minimum in winter and up to maximum of 28°C during summer. Water and feed plants regularly during the growing season. Ensure that all water drains away, preventing the plant sitting in water. Provide enough humidity by regular misting. Reduce watering and feeding in winter months and keep in a bright, sunny position. As with many orchids, they grow best when well-established and slightly pot-bound. Re-potting should be only done if the plant overgrows its container or before the potting mix starts to deteriorate - approximately once in 2-3 years. The plant should only be re-potted when the new growth appears in spring. See also indoor orchid cultivation

Propagation

Mature plants may be divided when the plant overgrows its container. Each division should have at least 3 older growths with a sufficient amount of stored energy and water, to support new growth and reduce stress after repotting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs. Thrips may cause damage on flowers

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Poor air movement may cause bacterial or fungal rots. Good hygiene practice and sterilising cutting tools prevent the spread of virus diseases