What is your experience in making Cattleyas bloom?

[Roberta]

In photo 3 of the first group (where you have many plants), it looks like not enough light for Catts. In the photos where there are strong shadows, that's more like what Catts need. The next question would be, for how many hours do the ones with the shadows get that good light? The intensity looks good, but light duration is also important. (They need good light like that for 6-8 hours per day)

[StanTheMan]

Originally Posted by Roberta

In photo 3 of the first group (where you have many plants), it looks like not enough light for Catts. In the photos where there are strong shadows, that's more like what Catts need. The next question would be, for how many hours do the ones with the shadows get that good light? The intensity looks good, but light duration is also important. (They need good light like that for 6-8 hours per day)

Wow, thank you! That good light was just for taking the pictures, to provide with the same conditions and make color comparison easy. I thought the light with the lots of plants was great for catts!

And also, remembering what you said, I'd say our lowest temps here on extreme days might be around 3ºC (37.4ºF). Recently we had a cold wave and it was around 8ºC (46.4ºF). I have heard people from my local association saying L. purpurata can easily grow outdoors no problem. And I do have an outdoors space but it would be full sun starting around noon all the way til sunset. Do you think that would do?

Thanks for your input,

Stan.