Cattleya help and questions... Oh, so many questions!

[matheius]

I was given this Cattleya orchid by a friend in September last year in pretty much it's current state. The pseudobulbs were and still are very shrivelled and so are the leaves. It has sat in this miserable state for almost a year without any change until a few weeks ago 2 new growths appeared from the front of the plant and one more this week.
It grows now on a west facing windowsill indoors (the only position I have) at about 22C Day and 18C night. Im watering when it gets on the dryish side, feeding weakly weekly, seaweed fortnightly and flushing monthly.

Can anyone tell me how it got like this? and how to rectify the situation?

The two new growths are growing quicker by the day but I'm concerned that they won't mature before the cooler weather and dull light of the British winter takes over (already the sun is so low it doesn't get any direct sunlight). What will happen if they don't mature in time before the winter rest?

This is my first Catt so thanks in advance for any info.