So do you remove the thin sheath on your catts/dens?

[Dorothy]

I have read that removing the sheath could set the plant (pseudobulb) back a bit .. I just let nature take it's course and leave the sheaths alone unless the plant is showing signs of an infestation ...

[Leisurely]

What I have found Jason, is that instead of creating a cozy little blanket to protect the new emerging growth, the sheathing material stays damp which is a breeding ground for fungi. I have lost a lot of new growth due to "black rot" and I contribute a large part of it to the sheath. I don't have any experience with growing orchids in the northern states but someone once asked me why the sheaths always looked nice and white when dried and in Fl. they always turn black.

[Don Perusse]

I have over 70 cats/cat crosses. Once the buds appear, flowers open, and the sheath turns brown I remove the sheath. I also remove the sheath like covering on the pseudobuld itself. Mostly for asthetic reasons. If you were to show your orchids in a judged show then you definately should remove any brown material on orchid in order to gain more points for awards. Another food for thought: I would not remove a brown sheath until I was SURE it wasn't going to bloom. I've had cats produce sheaths in the fall, turn brown during the winter, then bloom in spring. Cutting off too prematurely could possibly loose blooms for that growth cycle.

[Orchidaholic]

For Flower sheaths, leave well alone cause you will damage flower production. As for the papery sheath around the Pseudobulb, you can peel them off as soon as they start yellowing. Once the sheaths turn brown they can harbor a plethora of bad things you don't want on you orchid. I.E. Insects, fungi & bacteria colonies... Also with peeling off the old sheaths it helps the plant by giving more area for photosynthesis to occur! In tern making a healthier plant & more likely to store more energy and give a larger bloom display!!!

[~OrchidPrincess~]

if they are tight leave them be, otherwise peel them because ants create nests there.but if they are around buds leave them alone and just keep an eye out to make sure no bugs start to get comfy