My first cattleya

[AnonYMouse]

A mini NoID from Trader Joe's.

Generally, I don't like catts but this one caught my eye.

The roots were a little dehydrated but otherwise in pretty good condition.


The blooms probably won't last since its a bit droopy/shriveled even after a good soak.


Looks like a keiki?


Repotted in the same pot with 50/50 bark and lava rocks. Placed on the frosted glass window sill with bright AM light, humidity 50-60%. Will sit on a humidity tray. Summer temps range mid 60's to an occasional mid 80's. Winter will be in the 60's. That sound about right?

[james mickelso]

Looks just peachy. Don't over water this orchid. Name please.

[AnonYMouse]

The tag said cattleya but its probably more cattleytonia? No clue, really.

[RJSquirrel]

...looks more like a potinara which is a mini hybrid catt. cant give you any more on that one as I cant be specific. The roots look really good so they are not shriveled and do not see any rot. amazing actually. And just dont overwater is good advice. Water it when the roots start to dry out in the medium you are using. Bark and lava rock should be fine if thats what you choose to use. That plants also a prime candidate for mounting on bark or wood anytime in its future. The flowers dont last long when they get moved around a lot so dont worry bout that. And catts dont make keikis, ooops. They make new bulbs. Thats an old bulb thats been cut down. You have to trim them down on occasion to either divide them or cut off the older withdrawn bulbs that are no longer providing energy for the plant. Good luck and you need lots of good morning sun!!!

[Oscarman]

Your plant looks to be in really nice condition with great roots. Good luck with you new acquisition.

[tucker85]

The roots look good to me. It sounds like you're doing everything right. The bark/lava mix should work well because it dries quickly, which is what you want with cattleyas. Cattleyas don't get keikies. While a phalaenopsis only has one main stem and blooms each year from that stem, cattleyas only bloom once on each new pseudobulb. So they continue to grow new pseudobulbs each year and the new pseudobulbs are the ones that will bloom. The new pseudobulbs originate from 'eyes' at the base of the older psuedobulbs.

[AnonYMouse]

I think Trader Joe's orchids fare better than grocery store or big box places is because the staff don't have a way to (over) water them.

[WhiteRabbit]

Nice! Most of the orchids I have got from TJ's have been pretty decent.

[AnonYMouse]

OK, not keiki. It has 4 pbulbs total, three haven't had spiked. Do all pbulbs produce spikes? One spike per year? One pbulb per year? Just setting my expectations.

The pot has lots of drainage so when you say don't over water, do you mean let it dry out completely? Do not soak/drench/immerse for any period of time?

Thanks in advance.

[AnonYMouse]

As for mounting. I keep buying potential mounts but the one time I did mount, I ended up second guessing myself. I'm sure I will mount something eventually, I just want to be sure next time.