C. Dowiana - new in my collection, any advice appreciated
 

Hi everyone! I just brought home C. Dowiana. It has been on my wish list for a looong time.

I'm very excited, very, very happy, but I'm already thinking about the challenges, if the plant looks good, many questions. So, what do you think?

It's not my first species, I'm not really a beginner, but the advice of other orchid enthusiasts helped me to get Mt other species to bloom.

[I'm not new to the forum, but I 'managed' to lose my old account...]

Looks great! A spectacular species, congratulations :)

First, Welcome!

It is a beautiful species. Just remember to follow the rule of "don't repot until you see new roots".... this is one of the fussy species. This is complicated only by the fact that it it tends to root in the fall (not the spring!) ... not an intuitive time for potting. Let the plant tell you when it is ready.

Welcome back!

Can the moderators help you get into your old account?

When I got mine I was told they dont like it too cold in the winter. As I grow outside, albeit in Australia, we do get colder temps so I bring it indoors for winter.
Still only a seedling but it seems to be doing ok.

Hi Nikko and welcome back to the OB!

I've got about 15 dowiana seedlings that seem to appreciate my conditions, but it did take some work to get there. Here's what I've found from readings, other growers, and my own experience:

-keep them above 60* (F) if possible, although they can tolerate slightly colder for a bit if drier
-they really like high humidity
-they appreciate frequent watering as long as the roots dry out. Looks like yours is in sphagnum so keep that in mind
-the roots do appreciate air movement - you may consider moving to a more open medium later on (like roberta said, please only repot when you see new root growth!)
-plenty of light, but introduce them gradually to the higher amounts

Good luck with this one! It looks quite sizeable.

David

I have a couple of them and I have found them to be very vigorous growers, outpacing most other cattleyas. I am not sure where there reputation of being finicky has come from.

They resent cooler temps than other Catts, they have a proclivity for rot in winter (make sure those roots dry and keep on the drier side!), and they are very resentful of repotting at the wrong time (i.e. when not in active root growth).

According to someone (now deceased) who grew Cattleyas for over fifty yeas, the reason dowiana have a reputation as being difficult is because at one time, they were less forgiving of mistakes. Many generations later of being grown in captivity, most of the current dowiana are more adaptable and thus much easier to grow.

Here is a good guide to growing them:

Cattleya dowiana

How many interesting messages and information! Thank you so much all of you! :)

Sphagnum moss makes me anxious every time, but I will repot only when in active growth and.. easy with water.

I never keep any orchids outside anymore, too risky, but I have good condition for them in my apartment.

I do like cattleya species and it is so rewarding for me to see them bloom, almost incredible.:blushing: