How to care for this Cattleya?

[Tickolas]

Heya!

Just rescued this cattleya from the bargain bin at my local florist. Never had one of these before, so I'm a bit hesitant. =)

Looks like the empty stalk there has had blooms at some point, but they've since fallen off. The florist told me they just hadn't watered it enough.

So, question one... How often should I water it? The florist claimed twice a week, but that seems excessive considering I have all my other ones (phals, dendrobiums) on a 10-day cycle.

Question two, should I prune the empty stalk somehow? If so, where and how much?

[OrchidPants]

I water my cattleya about twice a week during the summer. Now that we are going into winter I will be watering about once a week. Also mine only has bark and it looks like yours has moss and bark. I would say that you can probably put in on the ten day cycle with your other orchids. It is better to be on the safe side and water too little than too much. If the pseudobulbs start to shrivel then water it more.

[cbuchman]

Some Catts like to be completely dry between watering
s and others wants to be barely dry. You'll need to see which one works here -- start with very dry between watering. Once you have an understanding of what the Catt needs, you can set up a watering schedule.

Indeed, you can cut off the spent inflorescence. I usually cut it to the lowest point possible without impacting the leaves. for aesthetics.

Good Luck! It's a pretty color combination!

[The Orchid Boy]

Just wanted to say, that's a beautiful bifoliate cattleya. The other member have given you some good advice.

[tucker85]

I agree with the previous posts. Let the medium dry completely between waterings. Bifoliate cattleyas are very sensitive to repotting. Only repot in the spring when you see new growth starting.

[james mickelso]

Cut off the spent flower spike as low as practical. Very carefully pull off the lower dry sheaths covering the pseudobulbs so the catt can get as much light as posible. the pbulb will photosynthesize. This catt will need repotting in the spring. Here is when this should be done. When the two largest, newest pbulbs start to grow new leads (you'll know when they do) then you will need to get ready to pot. When the new leads or buds start growing new roots and are about 1/2 to 1 inch long, that is when you will repot this catt. Not before. That is important. Not before the new growths grow new roots. Pot in a medium sized bark (1/2 inch size), charcol, and sponge rock. Pot the old growth against the rim so the new growths are in the center which gives the new growth room for one or two yerars groth. An alternative is to let the catt grow over the edge of the current pot and when you have two or three new growths growing outside the pot, then cut them off and pot them up. The repot what is left in the pot. Good luck. Oh, also elt them dry out completely this winter before watering again. They are not growing and you'll invite root rot if they are kept wet.

[Tickolas]

Great advice, thanks guys! So far it seems to be surviving just fine, although the flowers've dropped off. I just gave it its monthly fertilizer, so I'll let it dry off completely before the next watering.