Blc. King of Taiwan 'ORCHIS' empty sheaths - Orchid Board

Kelo · #1 07-31-2011, 09:42 AM

I have a Blc. King of Taiwan 'ORCHIS' about to flower for the first time but it looks as if the sheaths might be empty. Does anyone know if there is a high or low percentage of empty sheath production in catts or is it simply a case of bad luck in this case? There are two sheaths but no signs of anything in there yet.

dounoharm · #2 07-31-2011, 11:22 AM

quite oftem the sheaths form some time before the actual buds grow out into it....dont give up hope, just give it time to mature.....do not cut the sheath even if it dries out and becomes brown, as they will bloom thru a brown dried up sheath at times....patience is a virtue! gl

tucker85 · #3 07-31-2011, 11:59 AM

Formation of a sheath does not mean that blooming is imminent. The sheaths form when the psuedobulb forms. Blooming may not take place for several months.

mmursuli · #4 07-31-2011, 12:03 PM

I have a King of Taiwan too! I can't wait for it to bloom. I too have two empty sheaths. I'll post pics in a few

mmursuli · #5 07-31-2011, 12:51 PM

Here's my KOT:

The other sheath is in there somewhere

Kelo · #6 07-31-2011, 02:37 PM

Same stage as mine! lol It's so exciting when a sheath appears!

Cattleya17 · #7 07-31-2011, 05:15 PM

Based on those pics you still have a while b4 buds form. the Pseudobulb is not mature yet either. My Cattleya is a Blc. Drumbeat 'Heritage' and it is at the same stage as yours right now and it usually does not bloom until December or January some times February. Mine is a winter bloomer though so it like to wait till its really winter to do something I find it responds to the increase in light from there being no leaves on the trees and of course the shorter day length.
im not sure if yours is a fall or a winter bloomer. if its fall it may bloom sooner. Congrats to the both of you on the sheaths!!!!

purpleplantman · #8 08-19-2011, 08:33 AM

The key here is first blooming; sometimes juvenile plants will form sheaths but not bud. This can also be the plant kicking back into a growth cycle before bud formation, often associated with nitrogen application, longer days, warmth etc.,or just a case of being patient, as mentioned in other posts. Remember, these plants are hybrids with odd gene combinations; expect the occasional unexpected!

Kelo · #9 08-19-2011, 08:51 AM

The anticipation is something else! LOL

denvervet · #10 08-25-2011, 01:25 PM

I purchased a Blc. Shinfong Little Sun "Young-Min Golden Boy" in March of 2011. It had bright orange blooms on it when I got it, they soon died, then 6 weeks later I got another bloom. It has made two new sheaths since then, it gets a little morning sun and watered 2X a week since its very dry here and sprayed every morning. I wish I could figure out how to put a pic on here, I have great pics of it!