Cattleya mendelii is probably the easiest of all the Cattleya species to grow. It is a vigorous grower and a reliable producer of three or four flowers per flower stem each spring. It is more resistant to rot than most other Cattleya species and roots freely. Cattleya mendelii normally flowers in April and May in the United States and remains in bloom for several weeks. It begins its new growth in midsummer and completes the growth by late autumn. It can make two growths a season under good growing conditions. When the new growth is completed, C. mendelii will rest until buds begin to form in the sheath in February or March. The plants should be watered less during the winter months to avoid damaging the roots. Plants grow and flower best with a good amount of sun and air. They benefit from normal cattleya temperatures of 58 F to 60 F at night and 80 F to 85 F during the day. Cattleya mendelii is one of the least troublesome plants I know, and is often recommended for beginning orchid growers. Although the C. mendelii available today are not the giant, round flowers of the past, they are still some of the loveliest large-flowered cattleyas you can find. A.A. Chadwick http://www.chadwickorchids.com/mendelii