first cattlya bud...How long???
 

OK. After many years of tending faithfully to this orchid, I finally have 2 buds coming! I am so excited! My question: How long will it take for them to open?! They both currently have a bit of fringe coming out the top. And...is there anything that I could do wrong at this point that would jeopardize these blooms?

It looks like it's maybe a week away from blooming if it's a small flower. If it's a large flower it could be a couple of weeks from flowering. Continue to care for the plant like you narmally do but if you usually move the plant to water it, just be carefully not to break off the buds. I've done that more than once. Enjoy your orchid.

Thanks Tucker. The plant will stay put as you suggest (I can be very clumsy!) And as long as I know that it will be a couple of weeks, I think that I can be patient. It is exciting, of course, because it my first one.

Awesome! Congrats!