I am growing this plant in a wooded slat basket lined with nz moss and filled with a bark mix. The plant is growing fine and I do have a sheath… I can’t see any buds inside…. I am a windowsill grower the plant sets in the south window in the cold mos of the year, outside in the spring and summer.
I was wondering if Cattleya aurantiaca needed a dry winter rest, or not?
If any one has any culture tips for this lovely orchid… it would be very much appreciated.
I would sure like to see the sheath fill up with buds and flower.

I don't grow this particular catt, but I do have several catts...hybrid and species. One thing they have in common is that they will get sheathes without buds and then later (sometimes much later) they will fill up with buds. Some of my catts that are in bloom now had sheathes for a year before buds appeared. I have even had a sheath dry up and turn brown, and like a year later it grew buds and bloomed! You never know. I do think more light will up your chances of getting buds sooner though. Catts need LOTS of light to bloom. Just be careful of the sunburn :poke:

Catt aurantiaca is one of the easier species as far as I know. Give it time, and it should do fine in a Southern window!

It's also more of a spring bloomer. Mine is in bud right now but I grow under HID lights with no sunlight, so they have a wider blooming range. If you grow in a window then you will probably get buds in the spring. Don't worry if the sheath dries....as long as the plant gets high enough light it will bloom on schedule.

PS....I cut back on the winter watering on all my catts unless they are in very active growth.

Laura,

I have a smaller plant of the same clone. I look forward to seeing it bloom!

thanks

thanks all will give it all the light I can and will be patiently waiting Spring.