New growth on old (never bloomed) Cattleyas

[SoFlaOrchids]

I'm sooo excited

So, I have these 2 old cattleyas, the one on the tree has no ID but I have had for over 6-8 years and it has never ever given me a spike and I don't know why.

I recently (3 months ago) mounted it on my avocado tree and I have been watering and fertilizing it frequently. Her roots have attached very well and look very healthy.
So yesterday I finally noticed a new growth and this has not happened in quite some time.
Question: Is there a chance she might be finally on her way to bloom?

Potted BLC Tutankamen Pop Waxy Red Clusters has been with me for quite some time too and tag is dated 10/3/2017 but it has never flowered either so I have started taken better care giving it new fresh good quality medium and she has new growth as well which had not happened in a looong time.

Any chance these 2 will finally bloom for me with these new growths?

See pictures

[SouthPark]

New growth is always excellent. So that's a great sign for sure. Not every bulb may produce flower spikes and flowers. It depends on the kind of orchid - maybe. Some individuals are super reliable. Also growing conditions and how the plant is grown play a big role too.

In this case, new growth activity is excellent news. If the orchid generally receives enough light and nutrients, and keeps growing nicely like that ----- it's likely going to produce flowers sometime in the future. That growth activity is good!

Catt type orchids (or any orchids) generally need to reach some particular size to have enough strength (or something like that) to produce flowers. That's like flowering size orchids. So may need to check on that size for particular plants.

[SoFlaOrchids]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

New growth is always excellent. So that's a great sign for sure. Not every bulb may produce flower spikes and flowers. It depends on the kind of orchid - maybe. Some individuals are super reliable. Also growing conditions and how the plant is grown play a big role too.

In this case, new growth activity is excellent news. If the orchid generally receives enough light and nutrients, and keeps growing nicely like that ----- it's likely going to produce flowers sometime in the future. That growth activity is good!

Catt type orchids (or any orchids) generally need to reach some particular size to have enough strength (or something like that) to produce flowers. That's like flowering size orchids. So may need to check on that size for particular plants.

I don't think I had them in the appropriate conditions before bc media was old and I was not paying close attention to them (fetilizing/watering)
Now, I want to grow my collection, learn more from you guys here so hopefully they thrive, grow and give me blooms
The BLC is kind of small for its age but hopefully will start getting bigger in the new media.
Thanks

[WaterWitchin]

I think they'll do well, as long as you continue to give them a modicum of care. Poor medium will certainly prohibit growth. Regular watering, better growth. Fertilizer, even better even if sporadic. Sure looks like they're happy... especially that one on the tree! Clinging on like a baby monkey to its momma! Have you thought about just putting the Blc in same tree? Might be easier to grow the same way?

[SoFlaOrchids]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I think they'll do well, as long as you continue to give them a modicum of care. Poor medium will certainly prohibit growth. Regular watering, better growth. Fertilizer, even better even if sporadic. Sure looks like they're happy... especially that one on the tree! Clinging on like a baby monkey to its momma! Have you thought about just putting the Blc in same tree? Might be easier to grow the same way?

Yes, I will certainly continue to give them TLC
I have been using organic fertilizer and probiotics and they are definitely liking all the attention

The BLC was on the tree but it did not attach so I took it out and have been taking better care of it in the pot but I plan on trying the tree again soon. Hopefully it will attach as well.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by SoFlaOrchids

Yes, I will certainly continue to give them TLC
I have been using organic fertilizer and probiotics and they are definitely liking all the attention

The BLC was on the tree but it did not attach so I took it out and have been taking better care of it in the pot but I plan on trying the tree again soon. Hopefully it will attach as well.

I suggest putting it back on the tree, attaching it well without whatever (panty hose, etc) and leaving it until it does attach, if that's where you want to grow it. Putting it on and off a mount changes the structure of the way new roots grow, and it's like starting over again and again when you switch it back and forth. Very stressful to the plant. Put it where you want it and patiently wait for it to adapt. May take three months, may take five months.

[Roberta]

Also vital when mounting... only new roots are going to do the grabbing. So the ideal time (ideal for all potting/mounting but vital for mounting) is just as the new roots start to emerge. If done at any other time, it can be even longer before the plant gets intimate with the mount. So I echo WW on that, mount it, water it, and leave it alone. Fertilizing is really a minor factor - yes it needs some, but VERY little. But living on a tree in a tropical region... that's what Catts do best. (Even in my non-tropical region, I have found that they do better mounted or in baskets than they ever do in pots)

[DirtyCoconuts]

empty terra cotta pot is also a favorite spot

[SoFlaOrchids]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Also vital when mounting... only new roots are going to do the grabbing. So the ideal time (ideal for all potting/mounting but vital for mounting) is just as the new roots start to emerge. If done at any other time, it can be even longer before the plant gets intimate with the mount. So I echo WW on that, mount it, water it, and leave it alone. Fertilizing is really a minor factor - yes it needs some, but VERY little. But living on a tree in a tropical region... that's what Catts do best. (Even in my non-tropical region, I have found that they do better mounted or in baskets than they ever do in pots)

That's some great info! I keep learning from you guys so much...Thank you
Makes so much sense and I see she's growing a root as well so I will buy some knee highs (idea from a youtuber) to attach her to the tree because I want to leave some medium she's in since it's very hot in Miami and I don't want her to dehydrate and take a step back growing.

[Roberta]

You might also run some drip irrigation tubing on that tree, so that your sprinkler system can take on part of the job of keeping the plant watered. I think that DirtyCoconuts showed something like that in another thread.