Name: Cattleya percivaliana (Rchb.f.) O'Brien

Synonyms: Cattleya labiata var. percivaliana; Cattleya percivaliana var. alba; Cattleya percivaliana var. bicolor; Cattleya percivaliana var. grandiflora

Etymology: The genus name Cattleya honors William Cattley. The epithet percivaliana refers to Percival, a 19th-century English orchid enthusiast.

First description: The species was published in 1883 by James O'Brien under the name Cattleya percivaliana; previously, in 1882, it had been described by Reichenbach as a variety of Cattleya labiata.

Origin / Habitat: Colombia to northwestern Venezuela, mostly at around 1300–2000 m. It grows predominantly epiphytically, occasionally lithophytically, in very bright locations near rivers.

Description & Notes: Robust, single-leaved Cattleya with compact pseudobulbs and a few large, fragrant flowers. The flowers can reach about 10–12.5 cm. We cultivate it in very bright to sunny conditions, with good air circulation and thorough watering during growth; between waterings, the substrate may dry out slightly. We keep it at moderate to cool temperatures, around 15–25 °C.

In vitro culture: You will receive a flask with 4 young plants. The plants are usually already large enough to be potted. After completely removing the nutrient medium, we plant the young plants in fine, airy bark with a small proportion of sphagnum. During the first few weeks, we recommend around 19–25 °C, high humidity, good air circulation, and bright, protected light. Keep the substrate evenly slightly moist, but avoid waterlogging, and carefully begin to acclimate the young roots to short drying periods; later, gradually increase the light and drying.