Are Catts hard to grow?

[Tim P.]

I am new to this forum... so I figured this would be a good place to start....

I was wondering if catts were difficult to grow in a house. I have killed a phal within a month or so

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They are if you can't provide bright indirect light for them.

Some other factors for having difficulties growing Cattleyas are associated with the health of the plant you select upon purchase. Those factors are:

1. Pseudobulbs are severely shriveled.
2. Heavy root loss or root damage.
3. Certain parts of the plant are diseased.

Generally speaking Catts are pretty hardy though if you can care for them correctly and if you are able to select healthy specimens. They're definitely in my opinion much hardier than Phals.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Although I will say that I think Laelias are much hardier than Cattleyas because they have a wider range of temperature tolerances than a Cattleya does.

[Eyebabe]

I agree that cattleyas are fairly easy to grow and much more viable in the home environment than phals.
That said, they are not easy to flower and require bright indirect light and seasonal temperature variations.
This is why many people chose different species than cattleyas as we prefer more than just foliage for our efforts.
And I am referring to cattleyas hybrids as the species are difficult to grow in a home requiring much higher humidity levels.

[Leafmite]

Cattleyas are very easy if you have the light, as King says, and you plant them in a medium that dries completely, even in the middle, within three to five days. What you use as a potting mix will depend on your growing conditions but an open, fast-draining mix is a good starting point. I hope this helps.
Leafmite

[WhiteRabbit]

Some types may need more light than can be easily provided in doors, tho some types - especially many 'mini-catts' do well on windowsills that get a fair amount of light

My first ever orchid was a Catt alliance inter-generic, no id - it took me a few years to get it to rebloom, but it refused to die on me lol - I'm quite happy to say I still have it Most Catt types do like to dry inbetween waterings, as others have said - overwatering will rot the roots, and extended overwatering can kill the plant.

[trdyl]

Hello Tim.

Once you understand any plant it becomes easy to grow. I am a windowsill grower and have no problems flowering the following species Cattleya mossiae, gaskelliana, maxima, jenmanii, schroederae, and trainaei. They do require a good amount of light for them to bloom. As far as watering goes if you grow them in a conventional pot, yes, they should dry out between watering. I grow mine in semihyroponics and very rarely will I ever allow them to dry out.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Well, let's see.

I grow mostly Laelias and am starting to get into Cattleyas.

I find Catts harder to grow than Laelias.

I grow Laelia anceps and Laelia purpurata in Miami, and when anyone hears that, the gasp in horror--none of the Local vendors sell Laelia anceps. All vendors ask me, "how can you manage NOT to kill anceps in Miami, we've never been successful!"

Most grow Cattleya hybrids and only one that I know of is a hard-core species grower.

I don't know. I think hybrids are much easier than species. I also think Laelias are less finicky than Catt. species, but I've consistently heard otherwise.

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by trdyl

Hello Tim.

Once you understand any plant it becomes easy to grow. I am a windowsill grower and have no problems flowering the following species Cattleya mossiae, gaskelliana, maxima, jenmanii, schroederae, and trainaei. They do require a good amount of light for them to bloom. As far as watering goes if you grow them in a conventional pot, yes, they should dry out between watering. I grow mine in semihyroponics and very rarely will I ever allow them to dry out.

I am impressed! How do you keep your indoor humidity high enough for the species in Idaho?
In Pennsylvania, my indoor humidity almost did my catt species in
After the greenhouse was up, they went in and I actually thought I could see plants smile at that point
My hybrids on the otherhand are good either way.

[tucker85]

I agree with all the previous posts. Good light is the most important element when trying to get catts to bloom. If you have an opportunity to put them outdoors for the summer the plants would probably appreciate it. Outdoors they can take full sun up to about 10 AM or a little later. The medium should dry out quickly and be bone dry for a couple days before you water again. Then water very thouroughly. A good starting point is to look for a compact growing cattleya that has a reputation for being easy to grow. Good luck.