cattleya - how to tell if it previously bloomed

[SamandAnne]

Great, thank you very much for your answer. Being a beginner, I assumed the older growth was the tallest, but you tell me it's actually the other way around! That will be good to know when it comes time to repot this orchid, to give more space for new growth in by the tallest one. I'm glad to hear this is one of the easiest to grow, this is our second orchid after purchasing a phal a few months ago.

Thank you again for your help, I think I understand now how this orchid grows and blooms.