Experienced grower's notes on Cattleya

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Cattleya remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is watering by soaking the pot then letting it drain fully. Everything else follows from that.

scale insects on pseudobulbs and undersides of leaves is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in a north or east-facing windowsill for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. pseudobulbs that store water and nutrients is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. repotting best done just after flowering finishes is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.