Overwintering guide
How to overwinter cattleya 'why not'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — cattleya 'why not' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
The mistake that kills cattleya 'why not' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and cattleya 'why not' rots from the base.
More cattleya 'why not' care
Overwintering cattleya 'why not' — FAQ
Does cattleya 'why not' need to come indoors for winter?
Cattleya 'Why Not' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Cattleya 'Why Not' is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.
When should I move cattleya 'why not' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water cattleya 'why not' in winter?
Cut watering right back — cattleya 'why not' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills cattleya 'why not' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and cattleya 'why not' rots from the base.