Cattleya Watering? How far from light?

[MimiCH]

Good Afternoon folks!
I'm back with a watering question on a cattleya in bark mixture. I am having a deuce of a time knowing when to water and how. I've tried the skewer method, but it always seems to be dark and moist yet the bark mix seems dry to the bone to the touch even a way down into the pot. I am watering at least once a week by soaking and in the interim when it seems bone dry in 3 to 4 days. It seems happy and growing new offshoot leaves and what looks like a beginning root heading to the edge of the pot as I gather it is to do. Time will tell if it is getting enough light as I only have a agrolight bulb directly above it in an east window (probably a novice's mistake to purchase a Cattleya) which leads me to my next question...placement of the light bulb, 12inches above the top of the leaves or the top of the pot?
Meanwhile, my rescued phal is blooming again...shown in my avatar (June and Nov), another rescue purchased at the same time is sending up 2 spikes, YAHOO! I've also expanded with 2 rescued Dendrobiums...still in bloom. Wish I had more room. Addictive!
Can't get over all the advice I glean from this forum...I find an answer before I have to post a question! A big THANK YOU ahead of time for such a great forum!
MimiCH

[jerrymeola]

Watering has many factors. The more pot bound a Cattleya the more it can be watered. Simply the water does not stay in the pot when it is all roots.

I would guess yours is pot bound or you would not be seeing it dry very fast in Mass. Once a week indoors is on the high side for watering.

Also in the north if you have dry heat the water requirements would be higher.

Cattleya are very tolerant of being dried hard. They can go weeks without water even if already dry.

Water very heavy when you water and do not be afraid of letting it dry a long time. Try to judge the weight of the pot when you water. If you are having problems with the skewer method maybe it would be easier for you to judge when the pot gets lighter as it dries. The difference in weight can be considerable.

You can not judge the amount of water by checking the top bark even when you try to go deeper. The bottom could still be very wet. This is why most growers put Styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pot. Bark at the bottom could stay wet a very long time.

Clay pots will work better for you. The clay will take out some of the excess water and if more water is needed while the clay is still moist it can give water back to the pot. Slit cut clay pots will improve air circulation over the roots and allow you to see better into the bottom of the pot.

Your supplemental lighting should be about 12 inches from the leaves.

[Ron]

Hi Mimi.
When to water Cattleya.
In my orchid house the get treated the same as other orchids.
My favorite trick is to lift up the pot and check the bark through the drainage holes.
If it it dripping water let it go for another few days.
Wet the same.
Just moist, I would give it another watering. remember, 90% of the active root growth is happing in the bottom 1/4 of the pot.
My mix is 15 mm bark, I suppose that would be close to 1/2 inch.
In hot weather I may water every 2 days in cool maybe every 4 to 5 days. Winter they get a rest, so maybe only once every 10 days or so.
I suppose it depend on you winter tempature a lot.
No sure fire way realy, what works for one maybe not so good for others.

I find the love as much light you can give them without burning!

Best of luck
Ron

[MimiCH]

Thanks Ron, never thought of checking the bottom of the drainage hole, always did from the top! Think if it is doing the growth thing it is happy? Time will tell on the light and if it will bloom.
Wonder if any other New Englanders know my problem and the frequency of their watering?
Thank you! MimiCH

[MimiCH]

Thanks Jerry,
It is in a 4" clay pot but save for the little new nub which I think is a root, no others are showing. You mention a clay slit pot, are these the glazed pots which I see in the nursery which have side holes, or is there a common unglazed clay pot available somewhere with slits? I saw no roots at the drainage hole and it was only slightly moist. The bark mix has bits of sphagnum as well as chunks of foam and perlite.
So much to learn!
MimiCH