First Time Growing Cattleya Help Please.

[monet]

Hi,
I have posted pictures. The one in compost has new growth. The one in water was a piece that broke off. Should I pot this into compost it has lots of roots in the water. I dont think that they are growing well. I have them in my conservatory in summer and on a west facing window sill in winter. What strength of feed? any help would be appeciated. I have more pictures if needed.

[tucker85]

The thing that's a little hard to understand about cattleyas is that they do require a lot of water during the summer growing season but they also need their roots to dry out completely between waterings. Most growers accomplish this by having them in a chunky orchid mix that lets air get to the roots and dries out very quickly. My cattleyas dry out in about 24 hours. That way I can water them real well, twice a week and they still dry out completely between waterings. In the winter I water them less. They won't last very long growing in water, so you should plant the piece that's in water. Small pieces often don't survive though.

[james mickelso]

Compost is a little too dense or compact for cattleyas. I don't see the pictures and it would help. The piece that broke off might be a good candidate for mounting on a piece of cork or wood. But hard to tell without pictures.

[monet]

Hi James,
Thank you for your help I have planted both into orchid compost. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.
Regards Pam.