Cattleya warscewiczii 'Caliman'

[Kim Brown]

I ordered a Cattleya warscewiczii three months ago, and it arrived with several old backbulbs, the oldest without leaves, and new growth. In those three months, that new growth has gone from less than two inches to a tall, curving spike with six open flowers. The new growth was outside the pot, and staking it was not easy. The fragrance was initially unpleasant - like that particular smell that sick people on medication sometimes have (not trying to be insensitive). A few days later, a hyacinth-like quality has become dominant. The flowers are some six inches across, but I've read that they can be much larger with this species.

This is my first C. warscewiczii, btw., and I was wondering if anyone here has any experience growing it?

-How to I give it a rest after flowering? Is it simply a case of cutting back on water and fertilizer?

-Can I divide it when I repot it when new roots start to form? The plant is near unmanageable in size and growing out of the pot, so a repotting at least is a must.