Getting my first cattleyas!

[Heassa]

Hello.
I've been wanting cattleyas for a while but was a bit nervous as I only ever had phalaenopsis, and yesterday I ordered 2 cattleya seedlings and I'm really excited!

I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advise for growing cattleyas/seedlings as both are new to me and I want to do all I can to make sure they do well.

[rymor]

Not overpotting them/potting in media that allows them to dry between watering seems important.

Since they are seedlings, I'd minimize the amount of time they remain totally dry. I've found very small clay pots with sphagnum moss/fine mix works well and watering them just as they dry.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Where did you get them? Post pictures when you get them and perhaps we can help you better. Pretty much what rymor said. It will depend on what size pots there in and how small they are so pics will be helpful.

Most of mine have come in 3 inch plastic pots and when they start outgrowing those pots I pot them up in medium bark mix in a 4 inch standard clay pot or an azalea clay pot.

[rbarata]

Usually Catts need to dry fast between watering but in the case of seedlings that is not so true...
My sugestion would be to post a photos of their original potting and we can start from there. Looking at the plants is important to give you good advise.

BTW, what are the names of the plants?

[estación seca]

A lot will depend on how large they are. Yes, photos will be important when they arrive.

Many people recommend repotting all new orchids but I would be cautious about this. I don't repot small seedlings.

[Leafmite]

How you grow these has quite a bit to do with the environment in which you plan to grow them and the particular Cattleyas you have chosen. If you could share the names of the Cattleyas and your house conditions, I think the help could be more spot-on.

For instance, I have cooler winter temperatures and so I use red lava rock and basket pots as a medium so that the roots will not rot even if the medium stays damp. I grow a few, like Cattleya aclandiae, that need a larger size rock (or no medium at all) and some that need a smaller size rock and more water.

As for re-potting, it is best to re-pot when there is new growth. Fortunately, you are getting these before the big growing season so you should be okay.

[Optimist]

Seedlings are a long term obligation. Most take about 5 to 7 years to bloom. I just had my first seedling bloom last spring. I thought it was great because I nurtured it from a little thing. I think you feel some accomplishment when seeing the first blooms on a seedling you have grown. Cattleyas are wonderful plants too. Many are very fragrant, unlike most Phals.

[Heassa]

I got them from Sophie's Orchids, and I'll post pics when I get them, should be today

---------- Post added at 10:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:48 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Optimist

Seedlings are a long term obligation. Most take about 5 to 7 years to bloom. I just had my first seedling bloom last spring. I thought it was great because I nurtured it from a little thing. I think you feel some accomplishment when seeing the first blooms on a seedling you have grown. Cattleyas are wonderful plants too. Many are very fragrant, unlike most Phals.

Hey, thanks for coming by!
I know when I got them that that it will take a bit for them to bloom, I don't mind waiting. I think it will be fun to watch them grow

[Dollythehun]

I don't know if you are close to Hausermann's but their open house is the next two weekends. Sophie sent me nice plants but the were very small for the price. Hausermann's is worth a trip and if you want babies ES and I have both mentioned Olympic Orchids. Tiny plants, tiny price, big customer service.

[Heassa]

I plan on keeping them inside. And here's a bit about my environment;
In the summer our average low is 60 F and our high is 90 F and our humidity is usually around 35%-60%.
This winter was awful! it was below 0 most of the time and if it got to 20 F it felt like summer but usually our low is 15 F and our high is 35 F and we often have one or two weeks when it get below 10 F, and our humidity is gone in winter.

---------- Post added at 11:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:22 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I don't know if you are close to Hausermann's but their open house is the next two weekends. Sophie sent me nice plants but the were very small for the price. Hausermann's is worth a trip and if you want babies ES and I have both mentioned Olympic Orchids. Tiny plants, tiny price, big customer service.

I'm not real close to Hausermann's but I won't have any trouble getting there, I might have to check it out.