New cattleya laelia little sunset

[redheedgeek]

Hello, cool orchid people !
Just purchased my first cattleya . Ordered it online. It came looks great. Not in bloom and has several "sudobulbs". I think that's what you call them. One of which seems to be growing rapidly. Supposedly a spring bloomer Hope hope hope. My question is how can I tell when to water the first time? Can't really check for moister its in granite chips for a growing medium. I think that's OK isn't it? I don't want to repot till it blooms, if it blooms. So is there any way to set a watering schedule, and tell when to water the first time? Help please
It gets 2 to 3 hours of morning sun and all day indirect sun after that, in south window any other advice would be appreciated.

Thanks so much. I'll send a picture with next post.
Jimmy

[kid a]

I would suggest the skewer method It has been very helpful for me Chopsticks also work well too!

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...f-orchids.html

[patticake]

- Jimmy! I love Cattleyas! You're correct on what the pseudobulbs are called, just a difference in the spelling. Here's another link you might use.

AOS | Cattleya

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Tarad]

COngrats on your new chid, cant wait for pics! I am naughty I repot before bloom, in spike, in bloom, whenever I get in the mood to do it. I just had a phal bloom after I repotted while it was in spike 3 months ago. AND I have a phal spiking after I did major surgery on it about 3 months ago as well ) Tara

[redheedgeek]

Tarad, thanks for the info. Im still new to orchids so I think I'll wait on repotting. I'm also new to this site and am still learning. wondering if I might get a little help. I like the cool names insted of my real name can I change it on the user cp icon or can this be done at all. Not that I don't like my name, but I want to be cool too. Can I add you to my friends list, and how do I do this. Will it alow me to see you when your on the forum.

[redheedgeek]

Thanks Patti I'm still quite new to orchids you should see the giant cymbidium I just received I had no idea , but it's just beautiful. Hope I can give it the outdoor care it's going to need next year to bloom again. Still learning to use this site can I list you in my friends.
And does this allow or will you allow me to ask you direct questions? On orchids of course.
thanks again watch for me I'll post a couple pics as soon as I get a little more time.

[redheedgeek]

Thanks kid a, sounds like a good idea I'll give it a try. I already use this method with my Paphs. It works great. The paph on my avatar has had its bloom for about 10 weeks now and doesn't look like it's finished yet. I'll take a couple pictures of some of my orchids as soon as I get a little more time. thanks again can I list you in my friends, and ask you questions directly,on orchids of course? Or does this forum work that way.

[patticake]

Hi Jimmy! I love the Paph in your avatar, BTW! It looks like it has Paph. spicerianum in its background! It's beautiful! You can tell when someone's on the site when the dot next to their name is lit up green instead of gray. I don't know how to change your name, but one of the moderators will see this soon, and help you if it can be done. Your name is pretty cool though! Mine is a nickname my great aunt gave me when I was little.

[lmartiny]

I think you can go in and alter your profile set up and change it. Or you can register again with your new choice. I'm no computer geek however. Scroll around the site and you can probably figure out some things.

[redheedgeek]

Imartinty thanks I'll see what I can find

[redheedgeek]

Patti, It is Spicerianum, [Enzan Fruit 'Hsiao' x Paph Spicerianum 'Elim'] I also tried a donation last evening but not sure where it went. how do I check to see if the orchid geek forum recieved it came up with an odd web address and said it would ship soon???

[fred]

jimmy don't re register your account maybe deleted for multi registering
let me know via a pm your new user name and I will change that for you

in your profile you can ad friends to your friends list and when a friend is online you can see that down the bottom of the home page a friend will have a ( + ) next to there name.

Edit did you donate via paypal ?

[redheedgeek]

yes Pay Pal sorry I'm a little slow with the keyboard still the address shows as Edited

[fred]

thanks Jimmy
I am going to send you a private message

[redheedgeek]

fred I'm not sure how to pull up a private message or send them sorry!

[redheedgeek]

Fred I did find your pm but still working on sending one back but i have to work today so I'm going to have to stop for now . Do you think the forum will receive the donation and any advice will be appreciated look for your answers this evening Thank You for your help Hope to ask orchid questions next time Ha!