i just got this nice plant and i am very confused about here care. there is not much info abuut it on the internet except for one article.
it says they need a good drainage and a lot of water and fertiliser.
But do i need to keep her moist or i have to dry her out betwen the waterings?
It is really easy to grow. In nature it grows in Madagascar on a special staghorn fern under intermediate to warm conditions with bright light. I can say that standard Cattleya conditions fit well. It is not choosy for the potting medium. A medium grade fir bark mix, eventually with some extra peat is good. There is no decided rest period. Mine is in a smaller pot. When I water, every day in the summer and every other day in spring and autumn, I make sure to give a fair amount of water into the pot. Again, I treat it like a Cattleya.
Being an epiphyte by nature, it dries more or less between watering and does not want to be wet or soggy all the time. When in good growth, it can also be a heavy feeder.
In contrary to its very special habitat it is forgiving and can adapt to various conditions.
Thank you for your reply
so if i understood right. it needs a lot of water and fertiliser when growing. watering almost every day and it's also ok to dry her out from time to time.
And how do you water it in the winter? I asume little bit les water and more dry outs?
Yes, in wintertime the speed of growth is reduced due to short days, less sunlight and lower average temperature in the greenhouse. Watering is more spraying in the morning than heavy watering or flushing. When it is freezing and the heat is running, more water is needed and the pots dry out rapidly, but again my care is no other than I treat the majority of orchids.
Mine grew really well outdoors in the summer --warm and wet. However, I lost it because I had accidentally left water trapped between the leaves of its new growth, and it had rotted before I could do anything about it. I'd say it's not that difficult to grow. Just be sure the leaves are dry by nightfall.