Give it a good soak and lots of light. You'll find them easier to grow than Phals.

Jane

Arthurm2015- it says "aloha". I've read that sheet before. From reading information I understand the basics. But sometimes people experience different things. Currently all my phals are in a west window covered with a sheer curtain.

Jane- soaked it this morning. I did notice a pseudo bulb looks kinda shriveled. But I'm not sure when the last time it was watered at the store.

Everything I have is in clay (besides my African violets) tnays what I prefer I think it's easier. For reporting do the same rules apply as to phals? Or do they prefer baskets?

Arthur, Please take another look at the pot. It looks like the potting material has broken down. The roots need air. My guess is it needs to be repotted. Pot it on, not in the potting medium. It is an air plant. Make sure it is firmly in place on top of the medium with a rhizome clip or 2.

Shavedmonkey- thank you! Do you think it would be benefit better to use the wooden baskets or a pot to pot it on? Do you have any pictures for example? This is my first Cattleya I would like to learn as much as possible before re potting

"sometimes" people experience different things" exactly! The AOS notes are a general guide but fine tuning depends on where you are in the world.

I do not like telling new growers to pot anything on unless the plant absolutely needs it.

Do what Jane says. Give it a good drink! Find that spot with a bit more light. Maybe enlarge the drainage holes at the base of the pot. Sit back and keep the plant under observation

Your plant is a mericlone (copy) so you might be able to find a pic. of the bloom on the net.

You have encountered the major problem in getting advice on the net

10b Florida is different to 10b Sydney, Australia and both climates are very different to Boston. For what it is worth I have about 500 "Cattleyas" and nearly all of them are in pots.

I'm in NE Pennsylvania. Clay works for me, plastic not so much. But I was thinking about the baskets instead for more air flow. I like to get a lot of opinions and kind of go from there. I like learning how others grow their plants.

I just potted this one a month ago...a bunch of new roots and the start of a p. bulb.

I would soak it in water for 20 min. It should come out.

The best advice you will get is from other local growers. Each environment has its own rules. Join a local orchid society. They all love to talk about growing orchids...

Do Catts like to dry out completely between watering? Should it be soaked weekly or just when it's been hot and dry?

I too am new to Catts and have similar questions to the OP.

Suzabanana- it would be about every 5-7 days for watering. Depending on the temperature. Summer months you might have to water more often and less in the winter due to cold and what it's potted in

suzabannana,

I water my potted catts on the same schedule as my potted phals. They seem to do alright with that schedule, but your mileage may vary. I have a couple mounted, a B nodosa and an C. intermedia, but I prefer them potted for the ease of care. I also use both clay and plastic pots, I prefer clear plastic but I use clay for the pot in pot (or break old pot away from plant and repot) technique.

Good luck,

Bob

A water schedule for catts. is variable depending on type of pot, potting material, environment, or mounted. I like to water as much as possible. I water most every day. I live in warm south Florida. I use clay pots. They breath and add to the evaporation. My potting material is lava rock. Does not hold a lot of water. And they are exposed to several hours of sun. I have a few catts. that are mounted. The effort for me on the mounted plants is very easy in my situation. The best answer for you would be an experienced grower in Penn. or a similar climate.

Shavedmonkey- good call on the re pot. Took it out of the pot to check the roots out. All media was broken down and looked like mold. Also found a slug in there.