Flower of San Sebastian Orchid

Guarianthe skinneri (formerly Cattleya skinneri)

• ​Common name: Skinner’s Cattleya.  When grown in Guatemala, it is known as Candelaria flower or San Sebastian flower
• Scientific name: Guarianthe skinneri (formerly Cattleya skinneri)
• Family: Orchidaceae
• Origin: Central American, Mexico
• Height:  12” – 18”
• Width:  mid sized bifoliate epiphyte.  Flowers 3 ½ “ on 5 ½” long, erect stems with 4 – 15 incandescence
• Growth: requires warm to intermediate temperature  conditions
• Zone:  11 above 40 F
• Light Needs: full sun.  Warm to cool growing specie
• Salt tolerance:
• Soil/PH/ Texture: pH 6.1 – 6.5
• Soil Moisture: average needs.  Do not overwater. Found in humid forests
• Drought Tolerance:
• Pest/Disease:
• Growing Conditions: grows naturally on forest tree trunks and branches or terrestrial-lithophyte on granite cliff banks
• Propagation:  divide rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs and offsets.  Likes to be mounted on wood.  Blooms from brown or green sheaths formed the summer before.
• Interesting Facts:  The Flower of San Sebastian orchid is the national flower of Costa Rica, so named in a contest by Garden Club and Rotary Club participants.  It comes in many colors in addition to the typical orchid-lavender.  The appearance of the flowers in March makes this flower used for altar decorations during Lent and Holy Week celebrations.
• ​Designer Options: Designer Considerations: use in containers inside or on your patio or deck. They can also be planted on trees, bark, or wood.