New to cattleyas

[Brock]

Hello, I'm not sure if I'm posting correctly. I'm new to cattleyas and this forum would love to get too know some people!
I got on this forum because I'm having some trouble I think this is a cattleya

[dbarron]

I think I can't see a picture to say
Well, I am in a similar boat. Only today did I order 3 small cats. I never really did cats, though I failed well about 40 years ago. My culture with other genera is much improved from back then (I was in HS), so I thought, I better try a cattleya *lol*.
I restarted orchiding about 10 years ago, first dendrobiums, then oncidiums, and then paphilopediums Sadly (for my wallet), I'm having success and that encourages buying more.
Best of luck, orchids really aren't magical and mostly basic houseplant culture works (with some caveats about media, drainage, and thus watering).

[Brock]

Thank you good luck. I never had any cats. I tried to post the picture again. I'm using dropbox, do I need to download and use Flickr? I've been into plants as a child orchids are my favorite flower. I've seen the blue vanda in real life I'm not sure if there's a lot that are famous. I had a blue kindomini I think cross. Was never into crosses but it's hard not to be now. I was told it was very rare haven't been able to find anything about it since. Not sure if I'm spelling it correctly. I like the blues and blacks not really into the pinks but even phalaenopsis are beautiful. Excited to get into cats see them in bloom I'd love to propagate them eventually.

[dbarron]

The way to upload photos here is a bit archaic (like the software) and I think you have to make a certain # of posts to be allowed to post images. I was thinking it's 10 (and you're 11)..but I am not sure.
You can certainly post a link to an outside source if you can't upload directly.

[Brock]

---------- Post added at 06:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:32 PM ----------

Thank you. Now I've tried Flickr

[Leafmite]

Here is a good link for identifying orchids:

Orchid Identification - What Kind of Orchid Do I Have?

– rePotme

I upload photos from my computer...I use the attach files, manage attachments, it takes me to my photo files and I upload the photo I want.

With Cattleyas, it sort of depends on what you have. The species are easy as you can find information for each specific one. i.e. Chadwick and Sons has information for many here: Welcome | Welcome to Chadwick & Son Orchids

The more complex hybrids tend to be accepting of a wider range of conditions.

Most like plenty of air around their roots and large bark, lava rock or a basket pot will accomplish this. It is best to pot Cattleyas when there is new growth with roots just beginning to grow (some of the species can take a while before the new growth gets roots). I always try to preserve the old roots by keeping the roots dry for the first few days after potting to give them a chance to heal, then setting the pot in one place and not moving it until the root system is well-established. If the orchid is at all wobbly, I stake/wire it so it stays still. Water well, let dry, fertilize weakly during the early periods of growth, give them the typical temperatures you would find in a tropical location, good light (south/east facing window unless that gets hot enough that it would burn the plant).

[estación seca]

There are photo instructions here. From the left yellow menu pick Forums then Beginners. Near the top look for the sticky threads.

[tmoney]

howdy! we also started to grow cattleya types in earnest this year. we have found that they are "easy" to grow once we figured out that they need high light, and therefore higher water. our previous cattleyas made it fine thru winter, so we are hoping our new ones will respond accordingly, but we plan on keeping them as warm as possible and reducing water thru winter. (once a week water instead of 2 or 3x per week).

repot as soon as you see any new roots start to grow, and avoid disturbing and breaking new roots.

following these guidelines we are starting to see some flowers! check out our latest video if you are interested