Why won't this Cat Walkeriana bloom?

[Subrosa]

I keep this one in a standard clay pot full of leca in a tray with a constant 1" of water in it. It grows like a weed, but I too am still waiting on a bloom from it. It's starting to get frustrating. My nobilior rebloomed very nicely for me and it's supposed to be even more difficult than walkeriana:

[krienschmidt]

Ah, I have one of those net pots also. Not sure where it will go yet but I'm getting it out of the plastic, changing the potting mix and supplementing the sunlight with a daylight lamp when needed. I so much appreciate every ones help.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

I keep this one in a standard clay pot full of leca in a tray with a constant 1" of water in it. It grows like a weed, but I too am still waiting on a bloom from it. It's starting to get frustrating. My nobilior rebloomed very nicely for me and it's supposed to be even more difficult than walkeriana:

Yes, I have that water under it too, but not during the warm season when it is outside.

The correct PH is also important. My PH is about 7, so I have to acidify it somewhat, and I need to put some lemon juice in it etc. Either way, a PH meter should be useful. Too low or high a PH, and the plant does not absorb certain minerals. PH for orchids runs between about 5 and 6, so it is slightly acidic. I think that is a main component of why some people can get theirs to bloom, and others cannot. In a greenhouse, the PH and water mix would be monitored. Once the plant gets to its home, suddenly it is not fed properly.

[Nexogen]

I have several walkeriana, two of them are in bud. In the seedling phase they can benefit from more moisture at the roots but if you want to bloom, the roots need to dry quickly.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Wow, good for you. I too have, well 3 of them. I think all of mine are to small to bloom. How ever I'm not sure I will ever get them to bloom either. I guess I can still hope.

[isurus79]

I'd say this plant is well grown! No need to alter media or pot size. This species can always use more light but you'll have to wait until it gets bigger for blooms; however, the plant on the right looks like it might be big enough for its first bloom this fall/winter. Tough to say though.

Its unlikely to bloom the same year it was repotted though. I usually just stick mine into a larger pot without removing from the old pot when they get large. Using orchiata means the media stays good for years.

[Mr Green]

Build a terrarium for Rupicolous plants and put them in there

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Mr Green

Build a terrarium for Rupicolous plants and put them in there

Well, most (but not all) of the in-situ pics I've seen of the species shows them in trees. A terrarium would also slow water evaporation around roots. Probably not a good idea!

[Mr Green]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Well, most (but not all) of the in-situ pics I've seen of the species shows them in trees. A terrarium would also slow water evaporation around roots. Probably not a good idea!

You could grow the C. walkeriana either on a branch or on a rock... and grow other similar species in the same terrarium.... I used to have a terrarium for Rupicolous Laelia's, the lighting was intense and combined with a couple fans it would dry quickly... At night I would turn on the fogger and completely saturate the terrarium with the lights off, similar to the mist and cooler night temperatures of the region of Minas Gerais...
A well set up terrarium gives full control over the growing conditions to be able to match any growing condition.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Mr Green

You could grow the C. walkeriana either on a branch or on a rock... and grow other similar species in the same terrarium.... I used to have a terrarium for Rupicolous Laelia's, the lighting was intense and combined with a couple fans it would dry quickly... At night I would turn on the fogger and completely saturate the terrarium with the lights off, similar to the mist and cooler night temperatures of the region of Minas Gerais...
A well set up terrarium gives full control over the growing conditions to be able to match any growing condition.

Yep, that could work!