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Q: When I purchase a new Cattleya the next new growth that is produced is almost always smaller. It is usually smaller and not as broad. These new plants rarely flower on these smaller growths. Could the problem be associated with gross underfertilization or excessive sunlight?

A: Diminishing size of pseudobulbs of Cattleya almost always indicates insufficient light. Overfertilization generally is manifested in other symptoms. If the bulbs that develop after the initially smaller one are of acceptable size, it may simply be that the plants have adjusted to your conditions.