The Orchid Source - Orchid Forum

Got this in bloom this past spring and it has sent up a new lead, but the lead looks a little dwarfed to me. Now the new lead is putting out new roots at its base. From what I read, this catt should be a late spring bloomer, but mine sure won't be. Seems like an awfully slow grower.

I've read elsewhere that growers find this catt to be finicky and quirky. I have it in highish light in my shadehouse, potted up in bark, perlite and a little diatomite. It dries out well between waterings. Just repotted it and the roots are very healthy. But, the plant seems stalled or something.

Anyone have experience with this plant? Any tips?

I grow mine just as I do my other bi-foliate Cattleyas. I posted a photograph last month or so. No problems, no quirkyness. The bi-foliates do seem to like it drier for the most part...an extra day or two between waterings. They do particularly well in baskets with little to no media. My plant is growing in a clay pot of very coarse media.

Hope this helps.

Yup, I grow mine in a smallish clay orchid pot and Hydroton and water
maybe once a week if the weather is sunny. It blooms several times
a year...not many blooms at once, but it continues to bloom all
summer and fall. Seems to me that the only thing it's fussy about
is too much watering.

Michael, what Ed said and I would add that in NYC you can give this plant as much light as possible and still not reach its max light intake. I have 3 of these guys, all in baskets 2 in my pool deck enclosure (30 PCT shade) and 1 in morning (till about 2pm)full sun. The full sun plant bloomed at much smaller size than the two in my patio, and looks a little rough. One of the patio plants already bloomed with 10 flowers and the second has two spikes with 10 flowers each. I'll post it when it opens up.

Strong light is very important to this plant, treat it like a digbyana....

I gotta agree.

I have taken to growing all of my bifoliate catts in ordinary plastic pots of PrimeAgra. Grabs moisture well, keeps really airy, dries pretty quickly.

Thanks, everyone.

Ben, love to see photos. Say, I can't get this question answered in the Shout Box, so maybe I'll try here:

Anyone with a Mac who has photos on iPhoto know how to post them here on the forum????????????????????????????????????

I just repotted my seedling today. The roots are going gangbusters. I never would have thought lots of light for a bi-foliate.

I just need to check in here more often, there is so much to learn!