Will these cattleya leaves ever be able to stand up on their own?

[SakuraDrops]

Pictures: Cattleya leaves - Album on Imgur

Or do I have to stake them upright? How long would it take for them to be upright on their own?

[Roberta]

The one in front looks like it might be partly broken at the base. At any rate, the growth is pretty horizontal. Other growths are more vertical. They do what they do. As long as they are stiff (plant getting adequate water) don't worry about orientation. If they get soft and floppy, then you will need to diagnose why (since underwatering, and lack of roots due to overwatering in bad medium, can have a similar effect but different solutions)

[Louis_W]

In my experience trying to put the light source above the plant helps growths grow upwards and increasing the amount of light makes them strong enough to hold themselves up.

Also if you stake the growths before they mature they can harden up in place

[ArronOB]

The tendency of some cattleyas to grow a bunch of horizontal pseudobulbs as well as near vertical ones is so common I think it must be a deliberate adaptation. Perhaps it’s to cover all bases in the quest for light in the forest.

If it really bothers you use some wire ring stakes or plant support rings. The effect looks a bit artificial but i don’t mind it.