Myrmecatavola Frances Fox tops burnt, dried or normal

[Orchid-Obsessed]

hello

Started orchid growing late January this year and have only seen real flowers, but not the whole plants except for the phaleanopsis orchids.

Are the tops burnt, dried, eaten by insects or is this normal? All 5 pseudobulbs on this blooming size Frances Fox have the same tops. How do I protect that part of cattleya plants? Or I need to? Will a flower spike emerge from those tips/tops or only on new pseudobulbs? I also have golden flare cattleya but the tips don’t have any growth yet. Maybe because it’s still young?

It was hard to get in between the leaves to take photos, I hope these are ok.

Thank you

[Ray]

Those are likely older growths that didn't have quite the level of reserves needed to bloom, so will not do so in the future. Expect flowers on growths-to-come.

[DirtyCoconuts]

ray hit it 100.

FWIW, i grow this much more like a schom than a catt, mounted and in insane sun year round

clearly, Alberta and Florida are a weee bit different but if they are acclimated they can get major light and love it

[Orchid-Obsessed]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

ray hit it 100.

FWIW, i grow this much more like a schom than a catt, mounted and in insane sun year round

clearly, Alberta and Florida are a weee bit different but if they are acclimated they can get major light and love it

Thank you, Ray. Good to know spikes won’t emerge from the old pseudobulbs-I’ll stop waiting for something to emerge from them then.

DC: yes, it’s indoors under the core area of the 1200w blurple growlights right now, it’s been under there for about a month now with good air movement. I’m waiting for red freckles to show up on the leaves, nothing yet. Thanks- I’ll research schoms, too....

[SouthPark]

Some new pseudobulbs may develop thin little sheaths, and not all may have flower spikes emerge ------ just depending on growing conditions or time of year etc etc, which is no problem. The thin little sheaths may just dry to a thin little strip like that. But wouldn't be surprised that for some cases, spikes could still emerge from some of them (for new bulbs that is ----- not old bulbs).

The orchid will eventually get around to flowering if nice growing conditions suited to that orchid are maintained.

[Orchid-Obsessed]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Some new pseudobulbs may develop thin little sheaths, and not all may have flower spikes emerge ------ just depending on growing conditions or time of year etc etc, which is no problem. The thin little sheaths may just dry to a thin little strip like that. But wouldn't be surprised that for some cases, spikes could still emerge from some of them (for new bulbs that is ----- not old bulbs).

The orchid will eventually get around to flowering if nice growing conditions suited to that orchid are maintained.

Thanks for the info. I hope they’re liking the conditions: Now around 26-sum are was up to 31c; growlights, humidifier set at 55-70% depending on temp inside the indoor portable plastic 5x5’ greenhouse, 2 x 5” fans for air movement, weakly/weekly fertilizer, cal-mag-iron & seaweed supplement monthly although I’ll apply lessser soon; rihizome potted above/ on top of the medium orchiata bark with lava rocks in net pot, secured with a wire so roots don’t move around. It was soooo tough potting it because of the climbing/ascending rhizome and leave growth. (Oncidium sharry baby red fantasy I received online on June 11 nowhas flower spike-super happy about that....first spike ever!!! Other than Phals)

Do I need to cover/ bury its new roots that grow so they don’t dry out? I am covering lightly with bark, but maybe this is not helpful.

Thank you.

[SouthPark]

Most welcome OO. I think your growing conditions are pretty good there.

I haven't got a Frances Fox yet, as they don't seem be readily available for online purchases. I know where to get one from though. I don't think it's necessary to cover all the roots. If any do happen to grow above the surface, then it should be ok. If the humidity is ok, then the roots will be just fine, and the orchid will just grow like how other catts grow in the wild.

Having the inside of the pot lightly moist and humid (with some air-flow in the growing area) - should help support roots around the top of the pot too (I think). If roots just keep extending and doing well, then that's a great sign.

[Orchidtinkerer]

hey orchid-obsessed, since you are starting to grow Cattleya, Missorchidgirl has a useful video explaining Cattleya buds and what to expect

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Orchid-Obsessed

Do I need to cover/ bury its new roots that grow so they don’t dry out? I am covering lightly with bark, but maybe this is not helpful.

Thank you.

I would be inclined to let the new roots go where they want... if they want more moisture they'll grow down into the medium. If the plant is getting enough moisture, they really want air. All of the genera that go into the genus (Myrmecophila, Brassavola, Cattleya) are very dominantly epiphytic (especially the first two), so let those new roots stay on the surface if that is where they want to be. You can mist them now and then if the humidity is low, but otherwise, no worries. Let them stay where they can dry out fast.

[Orchid-Obsessed]

Originally Posted by Orchidtinkerer

hey orchid-obsessed, since you are starting to grow Cattleya, Missorchidgirl has a useful video explaining Cattleya buds and what to expect