Cattleyas are Orchids, and here is one growers suggestion for their care:
Cattleya orchids (and other orchids such as Brassavola, Miniature Cymbidium,
Epidendrum, and Encyclia) prefer four or more hours of direct east, west, or
slightly diffused south sun. They should dry out completely between watering,
then be thoroughly watered, completely wetting the medium. Their preferred
daytime temperature range is 75 degrees to 95 degrees F days with nights of 55
degrees to 60 degrees F. A day-night temperature differential of 15-20 degrees
aids bud formation. Best guess: 2/3 the amount of light we recommend for a full
sun plant.
Cattleya orchids (and other orchids such as Brassavola, Miniature Cymbidium,
Epidendrum, and Encyclia) prefer four or more hours of direct east, west, or
slightly diffused south sun. They should dry out completely between watering,
then be thoroughly watered, completely wetting the medium. Their preferred
daytime temperature range is 75 degrees to 95 degrees F days with nights of 55
degrees to 60 degrees F. A day-night temperature differential of 15-20 degrees
aids bud formation. Best guess: 2/3 the amount of light we recommend for a full
sun plant.
Plant Care
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Production of Greenhouse Tomatoes -
Information provided by the Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 31
Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date December 1990. Revised June 2001.
Reviewed February 2008. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. G.J. Hochmuth, professor of Horticultural Sciences and Center Director, North Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of
Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. The Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook is edited by George Hochmuth, professor of Horticultural Sciences and Center Director, North
Florida Research and Education Center - Quincy and Bob Hochmuth, extension agent IV, North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
"The tomato is a very popular crop for production in greenhouses. Tomatoes are relatively easy to grow compared to cucumbers and lettuce, and yields can
be very high. Demand for tomatoes is usually strong."...
"Selection of Cultivars
Selection of the most suitable cultivar (variety) is a prerequisite for successful tomato culture"... "Tomato producers should have in mind the type of tomato
desired by the buyer (direct consumer, broker, retailer, etc.). Important considerations are size, shape, and color (red or pink). Important characteristics
relative to culture include high yields, freedom from cracking, disease resistance, high percentage of number one fruits, and freedom from green shoulder.
Greenhouse tomato cultivars are indeterminate in growth habit (produce flowers and fruit continuously along the main stem as it grows). As a result, the
greenhouse tomato plant may reach a length of 30 to 40 feet in a 10-month season.
Modern tomato cultivars are hybrids which are more disease resistant than older open-pollinated types. Hybrid cultivars have replaced open-pollinated
cultivars in all large tomato producing areas in the United States. For tomato cultivars to perform well in Florida, they must be able to set fruit well in the
winter, have freedom from russet or other cracking disorders, and be free of greenshoulder (solar yellows). New cultivars are continually released by seed
companies so growers are encouraged to contact a knowledgeable specialist to determine the availability of newest cultivars.
Tomatoes grown in Florida greenhouses are generally separated into two categories, beefsteak or cluster.
Beefsteak Cultivars
Beefsteak- Cultivars in the beefsteak category produce large (6 to 8 ounce) fruit. The fruits are harvested individually and usually packed with the calyx still
attached." ..." the most popular cultivars currently are 'Trust' and 'Match'. 'Trust' and 'Match' are both high yielding nongreenback (nongreenshoulder)
cultivars that produce large, uniform fruit. Both cultivars are somewhat susceptible to russeting or fruit crazing. Russeting is a disorder causing very small
cracks in the surface of the fruit near maturity. Wide fluctuations in temperature and moisture in the greenhouse must be controlled to reduce russeting.
Cluster Tomatoes- A new and popular tomato product is a cluster of vine-ripened fruits still attached to the stems." ...
Greenhouse culture of cluster tomatoes is similar to that used for traditional large beefsteak types. Most currently grown cultivars tend to have taller plants
requiring very high trellis systems. The clusters are harvested by clipping the main cluster stem from the plant. All tomatoes on the cluster remain attached
and range in maturity from breaker to ripe. Harvested clusters are usually marketed in a mesh bag, tray pack, or in a single-layer box.
Many cluster tomato cultivars have outstanding flavor and appearance to compete with the best of the field vine-ripe tomatoes sold. In addition, consumers
are highly attracted to the tomato aroma provided by the stems of the cluster. Consumers also enjoy harvesting the fruit from the cluster themselves.
Outstanding fruit quality and shelflife allow the consumer to pick tomatoes from the cluster over several days. The postharvest quality of the calyx is
therefore an important characteristic in the appearance of the cluster.
Most greenhouse tomato crops are grown today with very little pesticide sprays applied to the crop. This is especially true in northern states in the United
States and also in Canada. Environmental controls are important in managing diseases and biological pest control has become a standard practice. Insect
and disease management in Florida greenhouses is much more challenging due to the climate conditions and high pest populations." ... The clusters are
generally free of any visible pesticide residue. If routine applications of pesticides are to be required in any production system, inside or outside of a
greenhouse, the residue could be a significant detraction. At the least, it would face great competition from the current production free of visible residues.
Washing of clusters of tomatoes to remove the residue from the stems and fruit would be very difficult.
Information provided by the Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 31
Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date December 1990. Revised June 2001.
Reviewed February 2008. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. G.J. Hochmuth, professor of Horticultural Sciences and Center Director, North Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of
Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. The Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook is edited by George Hochmuth, professor of Horticultural Sciences and Center Director, North
Florida Research and Education Center - Quincy and Bob Hochmuth, extension agent IV, North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
"The tomato is a very popular crop for production in greenhouses. Tomatoes are relatively easy to grow compared to cucumbers and lettuce, and yields can
be very high. Demand for tomatoes is usually strong."...
"Selection of Cultivars
Selection of the most suitable cultivar (variety) is a prerequisite for successful tomato culture"... "Tomato producers should have in mind the type of tomato
desired by the buyer (direct consumer, broker, retailer, etc.). Important considerations are size, shape, and color (red or pink). Important characteristics
relative to culture include high yields, freedom from cracking, disease resistance, high percentage of number one fruits, and freedom from green shoulder.
Greenhouse tomato cultivars are indeterminate in growth habit (produce flowers and fruit continuously along the main stem as it grows). As a result, the
greenhouse tomato plant may reach a length of 30 to 40 feet in a 10-month season.
Modern tomato cultivars are hybrids which are more disease resistant than older open-pollinated types. Hybrid cultivars have replaced open-pollinated
cultivars in all large tomato producing areas in the United States. For tomato cultivars to perform well in Florida, they must be able to set fruit well in the
winter, have freedom from russet or other cracking disorders, and be free of greenshoulder (solar yellows). New cultivars are continually released by seed
companies so growers are encouraged to contact a knowledgeable specialist to determine the availability of newest cultivars.
Tomatoes grown in Florida greenhouses are generally separated into two categories, beefsteak or cluster.
Beefsteak Cultivars
Beefsteak- Cultivars in the beefsteak category produce large (6 to 8 ounce) fruit. The fruits are harvested individually and usually packed with the calyx still
attached." ..." the most popular cultivars currently are 'Trust' and 'Match'. 'Trust' and 'Match' are both high yielding nongreenback (nongreenshoulder)
cultivars that produce large, uniform fruit. Both cultivars are somewhat susceptible to russeting or fruit crazing. Russeting is a disorder causing very small
cracks in the surface of the fruit near maturity. Wide fluctuations in temperature and moisture in the greenhouse must be controlled to reduce russeting.
Cluster Tomatoes- A new and popular tomato product is a cluster of vine-ripened fruits still attached to the stems." ...
Greenhouse culture of cluster tomatoes is similar to that used for traditional large beefsteak types. Most currently grown cultivars tend to have taller plants
requiring very high trellis systems. The clusters are harvested by clipping the main cluster stem from the plant. All tomatoes on the cluster remain attached
and range in maturity from breaker to ripe. Harvested clusters are usually marketed in a mesh bag, tray pack, or in a single-layer box.
Many cluster tomato cultivars have outstanding flavor and appearance to compete with the best of the field vine-ripe tomatoes sold. In addition, consumers
are highly attracted to the tomato aroma provided by the stems of the cluster. Consumers also enjoy harvesting the fruit from the cluster themselves.
Outstanding fruit quality and shelflife allow the consumer to pick tomatoes from the cluster over several days. The postharvest quality of the calyx is
therefore an important characteristic in the appearance of the cluster.
Most greenhouse tomato crops are grown today with very little pesticide sprays applied to the crop. This is especially true in northern states in the United
States and also in Canada. Environmental controls are important in managing diseases and biological pest control has become a standard practice. Insect
and disease management in Florida greenhouses is much more challenging due to the climate conditions and high pest populations." ... The clusters are
generally free of any visible pesticide residue. If routine applications of pesticides are to be required in any production system, inside or outside of a
greenhouse, the residue could be a significant detraction. At the least, it would face great competition from the current production free of visible residues.
Washing of clusters of tomatoes to remove the residue from the stems and fruit would be very difficult.
Pepper Blossom Drop- Losing pepper blossoms can be caused by temperature rising above 90 degrees or if night time temperatures are below 60
degrees or above 75 degrees. Moisture stress can also cause blossom drop.
degrees or above 75 degrees. Moisture stress can also cause blossom drop.
