Phil's Orchid Page - The Cattleya Alliance Culture - additional information

CATTLEYA
ALLIANCE

PART 7

BASIC CULTURE

PART 7 SOPHRONITIS

SOPHRONITIS

Specific additional cultural information
Philip C. Tomlinson © 1998

For basic cultural information, refer to the Cattleya Culture page. Seasonal cultural information is also included with that data. The following page details specific cultural pointers for the genus SOPHRONITIS, and should be read with the basic information presented elsewhere.

SOPHRONITIS

Sophronitis species are comparatively small plants, but they produce brightly coloured flowers. They have been quite widely used in hybridising to introduce their bright colours and to introduce cold tolerance to cattleyas.

The species mostly come from the Monsoonal Foothill Mountain and High Altitude habitats, and information on these habitats can be usefully referred to.

SPECIFIC CULTURE

Most sophronitis species are subject in nature to temperatures ranging from 0 degrees celsius during the winter months, to a maximum of 30 degrees celsius during the summer. At all times and especially with the higher temperatures, humidity must be maintained at all times - around 70 to 90%. Sophronitis pygmae, acuensis and mantiqueira require the coolest temperatures. S. coccinea can take slightly higher temperatures, with S. cernua, breviipedunculata and wittigiana tolerating still higher temperatures. The plants require cattleya light levels - or perhaps even more. Any fresh potting mix able to hold moisture can be utilised. Plenty of fresh moving air is important in preserving their continued health.