Heeeeeeyyyyyy, I'm confused.

[Optimist]

I keep mine inside in the winter. I just use window light. But then, our cold is not your cold. After living 15 years in the midwest, their ice and cold, I moved to New Mexico where I grew up and the cold here is brief but still a bit frozen. Nothing like SD I will wager.

[Fairorchids]

While some species are somewhat seasonal, most hybrids have such a mixed background, that the seasons are meaningless. These plants grow more or less year round, possibly with a brief rest after each new growth matures.

For example, my C. Caudebec 'Carmela' (a tall bifoliate Catt) grows two new bulbs each year. Winter growth is only 1/2 the height of the spring/summer growth, which blooms in Sept/Oct.

[silken]

I agree, my hybrid Catts mostly just keep on growing. Slower in the cool winter greenhouse and more over summer. But they never have a complete rest. Some of my species need to be paid a little closer attention as to day length and how cold they can tolerate.

[diego_p]

So being as hybrids continue to produce new growths throughout the year then i should also continue to fertilize? maybe not as normal is i would, but still? no slight rest in the winter?

[estación seca]

For Cattleya hybrids in active growth, yes, continue to fertilize. Their growth rate will depend on how warm and bright your growing area is.

[diego_p]

ok thanks for all the help guys.

[Leafmite]

There are some Cattleya species that bloom twice a year, some on every new growth and some just once a year. Some of the hybrids are very complex and have many different species in their ancestry.

But, growing under lights can confuse Cattleyas. My species Cattleyas that should just get one new flush of growth each year all started new growths under the lights (during the winter) and then sat around (outside) most of the summer doing nothing at all. The gaskellianas bloomed at the wrong time. I noticed as I was getting them ready to take the the OS to re-home, the mossiae and purpurata both had new growths (wrong season). Oops.

[Bud]

The new pseudo bulbs this year will bloom next year if it is a specie. Some bloom twice a year so the new pseudo bulb might produce a lead in 6 months....the warmer months will help the new growth gather energy to produce blooms. Do not be confused. Read and research about your plant and you will know when it will bloom for you.

[diego_p]

Originally Posted by Bud

The new pseudo bulbs this year will bloom next year if it is a specie. Some bloom twice a year so the new pseudo bulb might produce a lead in 6 months....the warmer months will help the new growth gather energy to produce blooms. Do not be confused. Read and research about your plant and you will know when it will bloom for you.

Believe me I want to know about the specific orchid itself but I keep coming up with Blc. Ports of paradise variations. Though they look the same, the name suggests otherwise.
Should I maybe treat it the same as the Ports of paradise?

[silken]

Originally Posted by diego_p

Believe me I want to know about the specific orchid itself but I keep coming up with Blc. Ports of paradise variations. Though they look the same, the name suggests otherwise.
Should I maybe treat it the same as the Ports of paradise?

Your Blc. Fringe Benefits is Rlc. Ports of Paradise x Rl. digbyana. Ports of Paradise itself has a parent of digbyana. So your plant is 3/4 digbyana. It influences the look of Ports of Paradise quite a bit and I expect yours will look quite similar. There are no pics of Fringe Benefits in OrchidWiz but the name implies it will have the fringed look of digbyana to some degree. OrchidWiz says it is a warm to hot grower so I would just grow it in your home under lights this winter and let it do its thing. If it is growing, some light fertilizer is OK, If it appears to be sitting there doing nothing, then you could leave off with the ferts for a couple months. I have one hybrid that does absolutely nothing all winter.