Summer Spot 'Carmela' 1st cattleya advice

[Hylian]

Hello,
I've recently ordered a Summer.Spot 'Carmela'. I've been wanting to add a cattleya to my collection for a bit and love how it looked. I have researched cattleya quite a bit as far as their needs, but know it can vary quite a bit. I can find nothing specifically on summer spot and was wondering if anyone who has experience with it can lend their knowledge to any preferences they may have.
Thanks,
Hylian

[tucker85]

I don't have that specific cattleya but I think it should be given standard cattleya care. It has C. loddigesii and C. intermedia in it's background and both of those are easy cattleyas to grow. It's also 1/2 C. aclandia so you probably want to grow it in a fast drying mix and let it dry completely between waterings. It will also require fairly bright light although protect it from direct light at mid-day. Good luck.

[Hylian]

Thanks Tucker

[Leafmite]

What you pot your cattleya into depends on your house conditions and the cattleyas preferences. I grow mine in the red lava rock (basket pots) or mounted (C. aclandiae, bare-root) as they don't fare well for me otherwise. I grow using natural light from my windows. My home is cooler in the winter and we often have weeks without a sunny day. In the summer, when the orchids are outside, we can have a week (or two) of rain. Good luck!

[quiltergal]

I had one (sold it), and once it got to about 4 growths it bloomed very well. It needs bright light, well draining media, and blooms best when it's slightly root bound.