Why won't this Cat Walkeriana bloom?

[estación seca]

Look up a thread on this plant by catwalker808, a master Cattleya walkeriana grower. In the Search function in the maroon bar above, hit Advanced Search. Put walkeriana into the Keywords box and catwalker808 into the User Name box.

[Bohata]

So I was probably right and wrong. Right that it may need more moisture, but wrong, apparently, about how fast the substrate should dry. I was basing this on my experience with other Cattleyas. But it shows how not all species in a genus will like the same culture. I agree with the appraisal on light. More might help. Just watch for those telltale white ovals that indicate too much. A tad extra Calcium and Magnesium MIGHT help, too. And, as always, tons of patience!

[Optimist]

A lot of these suggestions are very good. I also think it is not yet blooming size. I think it needs dark nights (no light pollution). As a species cattleya, you need to get your growing culture to be more like their home.

It goes something like this:

Cattleya Walkeriana is mostly a lithophyte that occasionally grows on trees (who knows where the little seeds might blow?). The plant grows on the slopes of craggy cliffs in chapada, is in south-central Brazil if bifoliate, and diamantine, in Minas Gerais if monofoliate.

The plants mainly grow on the cliffs with waters from both sea mist and mist from rain quickly running past their roots.

Granite dust is rich in potassium, not necessarily as much calcium/ magnesium. I am sure you can read up on this subject.

So long story short, these Brazillian cattleyas really should be in rocks, not in bark. Rocks give them the quick drainage they need. They actually love water, lots of it, but the water should be on and off. Even if the Cattleya is in rain for hours straight, as long as it gets that drainage, it will be okay.

Another thing: on those rock cliffs, they are in full sun, except for the overcast clouds. The rock cliffs they live on, are usually in a kind of sheltered valley where the mist is heavier than in more exposed areas. They are not really "jungle' plants ie, living under a tree canopy. They are sun lovers. In order to bloom, you need to get cattleyas to the optimum sun level.

---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 PM ----------

Another thing is that you can only re-pot when there is root tip growth. Bifoliates are notorious for sulking when re-potted. These plants are never repotted in nature. They are on a rock cliff, which means they never move. The same goes for any other orchid. Re-potting may cause the plant to lose that year's growth. Many people say use the smallest pot possible. I say use the largest pot and fill it with lava, lecca, pot-sherds or any other "rock" medium.

[Bohata]

It is probably not too good of an idea to go too big with the pot. If the plant is making new roots when it is repotted, it should be OK. If you are nervous, you can always use root stimulant after repotting. Also, remember that many bifoliate cats have much thinner stems than walkeriana, and therefor may be poorer at storing water and nutrients.

[Nexogen]

As the pot and the media looks, I think these plants will never bloom.

[krienschmidt]

Thank you everyone for the good suggestions. I have the daylight lamps I can set up for sure and now that I know they are a little small yet I need to relax. Clay pot is a definite. I like clay for all my Phals. They seem to do great in it, maybe the Cats will too. I guess I have some homework on Cattleya's to do.

[Nexogen]

Your misfortune is that you started with a very temperamental plant.

If you put it on a piece of wood or cork bark you have a chance.

[krienschmidt]

Dear Optomist, I have clay pots with large drainage holes on the sides as well as the bottom. If I use this pot with a "rocky" medium as you suggested, I imagine watering will be just about everyday? Hoping for the best.

[Nexogen]

C walkeriana - Tips for Growing & Blooming

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by krienschmidt

Dear Optomist, I have clay pots with large drainage holes on the sides as well as the bottom. If I use this pot with a "rocky" medium as you suggested, I imagine watering will be just about everyday? Hoping for the best.

This is a walkeriana, in a net "hydroponic" basket, with lecca 2/3rds and 1/3 rough bark. It gets misted X3 per week unless there is real rain. I've had it for over a year. You can see by the new growth it is growing. There is a lot of air flow to the roots. It is very similar to a mounted plant, but with a small bit more water retention.
Close up of bulbs: