Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,

1) Can I leave SLC cattleyas outdoor in the winter in San Jose California even when the temperature drops to about 30F at night?  
2) If not, when (at what temperature in the winter) should I bring my SLC cattleyas back indoor?
3) A SLC cattleyas is breed by 2 different cattleyas.  If one of the orchid that is used to cross is not a SLC cattleya and the second orchid that is used to cross is a SLC cattleya, does the final plant or the new breed consider a SLC cattleya?  I am trying to find cattleya that can grow outdoor all year round in San Jose, CA.  Thank you for your help.

Alex

ANSWER: Hi Alex,

Hey, a fellow San Josean!  Hi neighbor!  Well, almost neighbor.  (grin)  

Now on to your questions.  

1. You can leave SLC's outdoors in the San Jose, Ca. area but I'd be cautious about 30F nights.  

2. Once night temps start dropping below 40F at night, I'd start looking for a place indoors to put it.  It probably would be okay down to 35F but depending upon what the parentage of the SLC is, that might be a little chancey.  

3. SLC is short for Sophronitis-Laelia-Cattleya, each is a distinct specie within the Cattleya family of orchids.  

If you take one of the specie and cross it with a SLC, it would still be considered an SLC only its genetics would be influenced more by the one.  

If you want to grow cattleya orchids outdoors year round in the area, look for ones with only the S in the name.  Most Sophronitis are cool growing orchids and can easily withstand temperatures in the 30F's as long as they have some overhead protection from frost and rain.  With that said, I'd recommend bringing it indoors when temps are forecast to be below 30F as happened this past winter.  

Hope this answered your questions.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi neighbor,

There are 2 species that start with the S:
1) Sc. ?Sophro-cattleya
2) Slc. ?Sophro-laelio-cattleya.

Do you know which one (Sc. or Slc.) can withstand the cold better?  Thank you for your help!

Alex  

Answer
Hi Alex,

Actually, both the SC and SLC are considered hybrids between the species.  Species normally have only one name or letter preceding the specie name.  

As for which can withstand cold better, the answer is: it depends!  (grin)  It depends upon what percentage of sphornitis is in the hybrid.  Usually, if the hybrid contains more than 40 percent S, it is better able to contend with temperatures above freezing.  But, that would also depend upon what the other species are in the genetics of the plant.  Some C and L are very intolerant of temperatures below 50F and that could affect the ability of S to counter it.  

But, after all is said and done, you probably could go with either with little trouble, just keep your eyes open for any signs of cold damage in winter such as leaves becoming soft and droopy, appearance of cold burn on the leaves, etc.  

Hope this answered your question, even if it was in a round about way.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.