Mini catt’s new growth has only one leaf. Worry?

[Maru777]

Hello everyone,

I have this mini cattleya and I thought I was doing ok with it. It grew 3 new structures since I got it and they all looked nice and plump. The plant also grew more roots - it came with very few. So I was pretty happy but not this last 4th growth all of a sudden has only one leaf. All the other ones it grew while I had it have 2. Should I worry? What have I done to it? I did not change all that much they way I took care of it so I don’t know why it’s doing this. Thank you!

[Roberta]

No worries. Even bifoliate species sometimes produce a growth with only one leaf. And a hybrid very likely has both bifoliate and unifoliate ancestors. One type may dominate, but now and then the other manifests itself. It can bloom on both types of growth.

[Maru777]

Thank you very much! His puts my mind at ease. I thought it was some indication of stress for it to all of a sudden switch to one leaf after the others all had 2.