Is this a good time?

[Algyros]

Well, I took the plunge and ordered three Cattleyas? In general, do Catts send out new roots this time of year, making it a good time to transfer them to s/h? Is there anything else that I should be looking out for (besides new leaves)? Thanks.

[syndywindy]

I grow a lot of catt's and times can vary as to when new growth appears. Most of mine are late fall to early spring bloomers so they are putting out new growth now. A couple of my bigger plants will bloom a couple times a year so there is almost aways new growth for those. I also grow many of them in S/H and they do really well with it. But it is important to wait until you see new growth so be patient in regards to moving your catt's into S/H.

[Algyros]

Thanks for the reply. And by "new growth" do you mean new leaves?

[kmarch]

If you haven't already done so, get yourself a good culture sheet on cattleyas @ AOS | Members Only Area.

At risk of making some over generalizations, the basic growing/flowering cycle of the cattleya is: 1) new growth, 2) once new growth matures the new roots grow, 3) the plant flowers, 4) after the plant flowers it has a brief rest period before starting the cycle over again.

Some cattleyas will go through this cycle once a year while others will go through it twice a year. It is currently Autumn here in Melbourne Australia. Most of my cattleyas have finished their growth cycle and have been putting out new roots like mad. I've been watching the sheaths to see if there is any activity in them yet (nothing yet).

There are exceptions to what I've explained. Some species and hybrids have buds ready and developing as soon as the leaf of the new growth unfolds. I have a Cattleya crispa that I've had for about 3-4 years now. It skipped a whole cycle and for some reason is just starting its growing cycle now, in Autumn. I dont' think this is typical. I'm not sure whats up with that.