Question
Ok Wayne, I took your advice and looked at my cats' roots, 1, the roots are doing fine,I repotted in charcoal and coconut husk, the 2nd one is holding on it dosen't look worse, the third one looks real bad, all the roots are gone,they were brown & squishy, I cut them off, my question is, what do I do after repotting? Water? No water? I have them in my backyard under a coconut tree, no diect sun but lots of strong light.

Please help

Answer
Marita, what you do partly depends upon whether there is new growth coming and whether there are healthy growth "eyes" at the base of the pseudobulbs where new growth originates. Each cattleya species or hybrid has a distinct growth pattern.  In some, the new shoot growth comes first followed by new root growth.  In others, it is the reverse and, in a few, new root growth is simultaneous with new shoot growth. Once you see new shoot or root growth, you can begin watering and feeding. With good humidity, plants not yet in growth should do just fine without watering. Growing outside is good, but be careful that the new growths are protected from rain which might get into leaf sheaths and lead to rot.  Be sure your plants are firmly anchored in their containers so they don't move. Growing roots need to attach themselves to surfaces (whether pieces of potting mix or the actual container).  This mimics their habit in nature. Your plants should enjoy their outside placement.  Because the sun is constantly changing directions during the day and by season, continue to check your plants to be sure they are safe from sunburn.  You may also want to move them to a sheltered location if storms are forecast. In cattleya culture, the presence of healthy pseudobulbs and growth eyes is more important than the status of root growth as these can, and will, generate new growth-- even without roots.  The rule of thumb for growing cattleyas is to have at least three old pseudobulbs for each new growth.  This is because  the old pseudobulbs nourish the new growth.