Species library › Cattleya › Cattleya mendelii
Orchids Well documented

Cattleya mendelii

A large-flowered unifoliate Cattleya from the eastern Andes of northern Colombia, mainly Santander and Norte de Santander, growing as an epiphyte at about 1,300 to 1,800 m. It is an intermediate-temperature orchid that wants bright light, cool nights and a drier rest after its new growths mature; wild populations are threatened by collecting.

At home, aim for
Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry
Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
Expects a seasonal restGrows on trees (epiphyte)

Where it grows wild

An epiphyte on trees in seasonally dry to humid montane forest and forest edges of the Colombian Eastern Cordillera, usually in bright, open positions high on trunks and branches.

About 1,300 to 1,800 m.

Colombia (Santander)Colombia (Norte de Santander)

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates
✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it
✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light
✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it
✓ Substrate and airflow
✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.