Bringing out machines for my Catts

[Mojave]

I'm a windowsill grower - have mostly Cacti and Succulents and orchids. I have been growing orchids for about a year or so and so far have had great success with a Phal at my office. It's a few feet from a very large south facing window and because of that large window, the outdoor temps accumulate right around that area so in summer it is always warmer and when it starts to get cooler, that area is always somewhat of an icebox. I've not had any issues with it, despite some neglect for a few weeks, and it is about to bloom for the second time in about 6 months. Yay! I also have a sad Wilsonara that is not doing very well there but I think it was too warm for it over summer.

Anyway, I don't have luck with anything else at home. I have a Den that I rescued that actually was on the verge of death and then apparently liked its location in my home enough to put out a new cane, so currently the plant is relying on that one super healthy cane. We will see how it fares in winter. Right now I'm trying to determine what to do with the 4 useless canes, in which two have leaves that are pretty much dead.

Back on topic.

I brought home two catts last week (pictures in a moment) and they have just been so unhappy since they got here. They were both small and $12 so I thought it would be a nice way to start experimenting with Catts as, to be honest, I am kind of afraid of them. I wasn't expecting much from them to be honest, and one of them (the yellow one) I had zero expectations because it looked sort of questionable in terms of health but it was so pretty I thought I would try.

Well this one, Lc. Loog Tone 'SD' has great blooms that opened halfway and have not opened any more. It has bruises on it and the blooms have a few thrips in them (tiny, long orangeish bugs, if that sounds like something else let me know) which makes me sad. It does however have some healthy roots along with dead ones, so it might still be ok.

The other one, Pot. Hoku Gem 'Sunspots' was great at first. Now, there are patches on the flowers that are dried up and the leaves are wrinkled. I've increased the watering so hopefully that does SOMETHING.

Anyway I'm getting so frustrated with their obvious distress that I did something that I never thought I would do for my plants. I set up machines. I want to find plants that survive my conditions without extra help but I am going against that today to prove a point. I set up a humidifier for the room and now have a fan pointed at them too (low speed of course) to increase airflow. If this doesn't make them happy I don't know what will!

Anyway here are pics - these were from last week so the plants are still relatively happy.

Oh, and they're in a SW facing window. It's been cloudy for weeks now, with no hope of letting up until spring where I am so they should be fine there for a few months.

[sunshine]

Welcome to the world of catts but beware they can be very addicting Catts require very bright direct light in order to bloom. I keep mine in an east window where they get direct light from sunrise until about 1pm then it's bright indirect light. Catts also like a nice chunky bark,perlite mix that drains well and like to dry out between waterings. If you miss a watering well they are very forgiving. I actually find catts easier to grow than phals. Good luck and keep us posted.

Pot. Hoku Gem 'Sunspots' is a very nice catt to add to your collection.

Cattleya Culture Sheet

[orchidea]

Catts roots like to breathe, I have noticed.
So, if you are overwatering, or they sit in the moisture retaining medium, that could be a problem right there. Catts usually are very strong fighters, so give them more time, if all conditions are right.
I was humidifying heck out of my orchids areas first year of growing them, but I don't do it anymore. They addapt to your conditions if you learn to water them properly, I've noticed with mine.

[Mojave]

They seem to be potted up acceptably but it could be better. What's weird is that they don't seem heavier when I water. I can see styrafoam inside at the base and I think some bark and then on top is living moss. I soak it when I water it but it doesn't feel heavier, which seems strange to me, unless my plants are disproving some physics theory or something but I suspect that's not the case. lol

[orchidea]

They look OK to me in the pictures below.
Maybe they are in the stage of addapting to your conditions. Wrinkled leaves could be a result of either overwatering or not watering enough. Sounds like you have them potted just fine. You could try the bamboo skewer method for watering (check the threads here). This way you will know if the medium inside the pot too dry or not.

[JungleMel]

Originally Posted by sunshine

Welcome to the world of catts but beware they can be very addicting Catts require very bright direct light in order to bloom. I keep mine in an east window where they get direct light from sunrise until about 1pm then it's bright indirect light. Catts also like a nice chunky bark,perlite mix that drains well and like to dry out between waterings. If you miss a watering well they are very forgiving. I actually find catts easier to grow than phals. Good luck and keep us posted.

Pot. Hoku Gem 'Sunspots' is a very nice catt to add to your collection.

Cattleya Culture Sheet

Thank You for this. I picked up a few catts recently too. A catt was my 1st orchid and I killed it. I haven't tried since. So I'm scared, but hopefully a few years experience with orchids in general will help. I potted in coco husk chips and hydroton, so I guessed right on the potting so far!

[bearded orchid]

I've been dabbling with Catts for almost a year now. Like was earlier mentioned, they are pretty forgiving. I have all of mine potted in clay pots and coarse-chunky media. They like a good soak and dry when watering and plenty of light. Good luck!

[otis 226]

As mentioned, they look good in the pics you posted. Of course the thrips have got to go! I lost a nice Rlc (Pot) Samantha Duncan 'Paradise' recently that started out with a thrip infestation from a big box store. Took the poor thing over 5 months to succumb with me trying everything I could think of to help it out in the meantime. Got rid of the buggers, but the little plant never responded to become healthy afterward. Orchids are very tough, and this one took a LONG time before giving up.
Tony

[smakar]

Is this weird or what....may I ask where you got those 2 orchids from, because I just purchased two of the same exact orchids myself about a week or two ago!
As previously stated by others, catts do like a lot of light and to dry out a bit between waterings. I haven't had much luck with catts myself, but I am trying my luck again. mine seem to be ok so far...we shall see, only time will tell...

[Mojave]

Originally Posted by smakar

Is this weird or what....may I ask where you got those 2 orchids from, because I just purchased two of the same exact orchids myself about a week or two ago!
As previously stated by others, catts do like a lot of light and to dry out a bit between waterings. I haven't had much luck with catts myself, but I am trying my luck again. mine seem to be ok so far...we shall see, only time will tell...

That's hilarious! Great minds think alike! Chalet Nursery, in the Chicago area