I am seeing a strong new growth that is closest to the camera - there may be another one, that shows better in the original photo from the pot. So I'd flip the plant 180 degrees in the plane of the current mount, and then flip it 180 degrees in the other plane (so that the strong new growth is against the mount and the opening is pointing upwards. The sympodial growth will continue in that direction, but you also need to allow room for the roots to grow downward. The "upside down" part doesn't concern me much... in nature than can grow rather horizontally. But at least the way it looks now, in time the rhizone will tend to grow away form the mount. Now, could be wrong.. I have had plenty of plants where I have guessed wrong and have had to remount - or, when it goes in more than one direction, I end up plopping the mount in a pot. So this is just a guess... hard especially to translate a 2 dimensional photo to a 3 dimensional plant. No worries... just observe what it is doing, and adjust accordingly. What you really want to look for is new little root nubbins that haven't even broken through yet, those are the ones that will grab a mount, or adjust to new medium. Personally, I think it would be a whole bunch easier to put in a pot (the oldest part against the edge to maximize room to grow). use medium bark in a 3/4 inch pot and again, just observe. C. intermedia is quite forgiving of temperature range (I grow it outside in southern California where it can get close to frost and summers into the 90s F) For you, if you can put it outside now (dappled sun or bright shade) , and just bring it inside when fall temps head for the low 40's F. It will love that Chicago summer humidity that people hate.
---------- Post added at 01:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:17 PM ----------
Another thought... I have found that wood baskets are great for Catts, think of them as a "three dimensional mount". The roots go wherever they want to, seem to like the wood. (Plastic baskets work OK too but the ones I have in wood baskets seem to grow better for me). You can start it in a 4 inch basket, when it outgrows that just pop the whole thing into the next size, likely won't even have to add medium by that time, it'll be growing like a mounted plant. But in general...just relax and observe. you'll learn what's really important and what isn't in the way of the advice you'll find. (Orchids don't read...) Your choice of a species to start with was excellent. You'll find that you can get away with a LOT.
If there is an orchid society near you, that's a great way to get local knowledge, and a lot of willing help. (Most orchid hobbyists LOVE to talk orchids and help new growers)
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