How long in Sheath?

[irrka]

I've a related (sort of) question--how long does it take for a sheath to grow? i've a new pseudobulb that has had a green pip down where i'd expect the sheeth to come from but it's been the same for months! not growing, not drying off, just sitting there. Do these things still have a chance of making a sheath or do i have to wait for the next pseudobulb to mature (it's only an 1" or so now

[Jkelee]

Thanks Irphrog, I will try that today, and see what they do!! I'm a little spooked to cut them open, but who know's? Might do them some good!!

thanks!!

[Des]

Irrka,The sheath develops along with the emerging leaf ,so if there is no sheath on that bulb it won't be getting one. However that does not always mean that it is not going to flower sometimes the buds will suddenly appear out of that pip as you call it . So lets hold thumbs that this is the case with your plant.

[Rosim_in_BR]

Hi, Jackie
A sheath (thinking of species) is a vegetative part the plant use to protect buds from the aggressive environment around while they are in their early development. Some species have sheaths, some other use the folded leaf to protect the buds. So, if a Cattleya has a sheath you can say it is prepared, or almost prepared in some cases, to flower (sometimes sheaths may appear on seedlings one or two years before they are actually ready to flower).
Some species completely develop the new pseudo bulb with a sheath and immediately bloom in green sheath like Cattleya leopoldi; in some other cases, the new pseudo bulb matures with a sheath, the sheath dries and stays doing nothing for a few months and then bloom, like Cattleya loddigesii; still others, like Laelia purpurata, develop the new pseudo bulb which sheath stays green for several months doing nothing and then bloom.
So, you see, there's for every taste!
The problem, if we can say so, may appear with hybrids. A hybrid may have in its background a mix of the mentioned behaviors and then it is not easy to anticipate what may happen with sheaths. They may appear in one year and not in the next. Only experience with each hybrid will tell what is the average behavior the plant has as to the sheath appearance, size, yellowing or drying, or the time before flowering.
If I can be of any further help, just let me know!

[dianecty]

Jkelee, I just love your avatar!!! Do you have this orchid in your collection? Where can I get one too?

Thanks!

[Jkelee]

Hi Dianecty,

I picked up my baby; Dtps. Salu Spot at Lowes a couple of weeks ago when they unloaded a truck load, and I mean a truck load of big beautiful orchids for sale!! 4" pots, only $10!! 6" $20. I loaded up on the 4"er's

Glad you Likey

Do a good seach on the web, you'll surely find one!!
If it had any keiki's growing, I'd send it to you

Originally Posted by dianecty

Jkelee, I just love your avatar!!! Do you have this orchid in your collection? Where can I get one too?

Thanks!

[quiltergal]

Thank-you Mauro for a very good explanation of sheaths. I've been left on more than one occasion wondering what I'm doing wrong. This year has been better. I have lots more Catt hybrids blooming for me than ever before.

Jackie that is a splendid Salu Spot! We never get anything that good at our BB stores here.

[dianecty]

Thank you! We do have Lowe's here in San Jose, CA but I don't know if they have the exact same kind of orchid. I will try though!!