Hardening off Cattleya buds

[bettywise]

I grow most of my plants in semi hydro. I hold off on wateting Catts for several weeks for those in bark when the buds are maturing. Anybody have any ideas what to do, if anything, for catts in semi hydro?

[dounoharm]

hmmm, I never denied my plants water just because they are budding....I just water carefully so water doenst lodge in the sheath holding the buds.....all plants need regular watering....good luck!

[brn_thmbs]

I don't do anything different for my Catts ever. Not in bloom, not when there's new growth, not when they're in flower. This time of year they get a good drink once a week w/ fert except the last week of the month when I flush. I do this with most of my mature orchids & this is internet advice, so ymmv.

[WaterWitchin]

I know not very much, other than I have numerous cattleya in SH, and they've produced more blooms for me than when in a different potting medium. SH works, for me.

Regardless, I've never done anything different with watering whether they were getting ready to bloom or not. Likely because they survive my benign neglect. Never even heard of "hardening off" catt buds... but am also not that well-schooled in orchids.