[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Post a pic. It really is necessary.

That new baby plant is no doubt just the normal new growth a Cattleya produces each year, and will be where the next set of flowers occurs if the plant has be grown well. Don't think of it as a new plant, as this is a necessary part that must stay with the old plant. A new growth occurs at the front/leading end of the plant, and the oldest bulb/leaf is cast off at some age. But in cultivation, we usually cut off the oldest bulbs, before they wither, leaving no less than 3 healthy growths in a row, but usually it is better to keep 4 or 5 in at row. If the bulbs removed look in reasonably good condition, you can sometimes start a new plant from them.