I got a Cattleya! Now what?

[Orchid126]

I live in NJ and I keep all my cats in an unshaded, uncurtained south window during the fall and winter, so west should be okay. In the summer I take them outside in morning sun. Indoors they get watered well once a week to ten days and then are allowed to dry, but they are in bark, perlite, lava rock and charcoal. You will have to test the bark/lava rock mix it's in by using a skewer. Keep it in the soil and if you think the plant needs water pull it out and test it against your cheek, lip, or the back of your hand. If it's wet, don't water. Keep checking until the skewer is dry, then water. James michelso's suggestion about hefting the pot is excellent, but I'm used to the skewer method.