cattleya buds, drying sheaths

[mojomick]

Help. I have about 30 cattleya alliance and species. Many are in sheath right now. I do have several whose sheaths seem to be drying out but I can see buds inside. I have read that some catts require you to cut the sheath open. How do you figure out if that is what I should do? I know that some sheaths dry out and produce buds later in the spring. I am at a loss to know what to do. Anybody got any suggestions? I grow in an intermediate greenhouse, low of 55 and max. high of 85. Humidity runs about 50 during day to 88 at night. Thanks for any suggestions. Betty (mojomick)

[ronaldhanko]

In my experience it never hurts to cut open the sheath, but do so carefully so as not to injure the buds.

[squashcat]

I've had good luck splitting open sheaths that have dried with buds inside. I cut of the top of the sheath, then I use tweezers to carefully split all the way down the seam. I don't remove the sheath since I worry about leaving developing buds with no protection, but splitting has always worked for me!

[mojomick]

Thank you so much. I will give it a try. Betty(mojomick)
I'll send pictures when they bloom!

[Des]

I also cut the sheaths open , but do it at the first sign of the sheath drying out or you will lose the buds . I think it might have something to do with high temps ,try misting your plants in very warm conditions

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[Tropic]

It is also very necessary to make sure there is no humidity buildup within the opened sheath or that water gets trapped within. This will rot the buds or cause them to blast. If misting, do it very carefully and I prefer doing this before 10 AM to avoid the cold water mist settling on the warm developing buds.

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[rtsingleton]

does anyone have pictures showing this process? and if you don't cut the sheath what are the dangers?

[Don Perusse]

There are some cats. that will produce double sheaths. That is, the first outer one will dry out and then there will be another to protect the buds. I would however do as others have suggested to cut the top of the dry sheath, which would enable the buds to come up thru.