Cattleya P-bulb Question

[Becca]

Hi Everyone! I have a quick question that I was hoping to get some help with. I have a Cattleya that I got from a trade earlier this year. It is Cattleya My Special Angel (luteola x iricolor). I have noticed that the p-bulbs are different from my other cattleya's, they p-bulbs seem kind of wavy or almost a slight s shape. The previous p-bulbs and the new ones that have grown since I have had it in my care are both this way. I am hoping it is something normal but I thought I would ask. When she arrived she looked healthy and happy so I mean no hard feelings to the seller by asking this question, I have just never seen it before and I really haven't been growing for that long (just over a year and a half).

TIA!

[BikerDoc5968]

How about some pics to demonstarate your query?????

[Becca]

ok...I'll try and get some at lunch time. I have tried searching Google and found nothing. The p-bulbs aren't shriveled, but wavy. I'll get a pic in a few hours.

[Becca]

Ok, I took some pictures on my lunch hour. Tried to get as many shots as possible so everyone can try and see what is going on. The older p-bulbs do show shriveling, but that is how they arrived, the newer p-bulbs show no signs of shriveling but are still wavy. Is it lack of water, nutrition, light, a combination of all the above, or is it normal? Also, one of the p-bulbs got bent in half on accident. It has been this way for a while (several months). It is still green so I left it, should I remove it or leave it as is? I am sure you will see it in the first picture.

[Royal]

I see what you mean. As for the bent p-bulb in the first pic, I'd leave it. Maybe try staking it. It is looks like it's starting to abort - take it off then. I'd guess that it can still act as water storage.

The wavy ones look weird. I'd probably ask this questions too. Here's my guess: It's just a lighting issue. Ya know how the now growths grow toward the light? I'd guess that growing under lights (or suddenly moving it to under lights) can change the direction a new growth takes. Mature leaves can shade a new growth causing them to reach out, horizontally, looking for light. Once it gets to a spot with direct light it starts growing upward.

If you got this one with new growths emerging normally, and the above situation takes place - you'd get an "s" shaped growth. Just a total guess.

[Becca]

That makes sence. I just bumped the lighting up on it as well, it is kind of an awkward size and shape for my orchidarium, but I am more then willing to accommodate this one since it is a cross of two of my favorites.

I guess it hasn't been happy with it's lighting in it's new home or old home since the old p-bulbs are this way as well. I think this one is going to need lots of TLC! It's roots are doing great so far, they are starting to meander out of the pot in every which direction, it is currently sitting on some roots poking out of the bottom and I hate doing that.

[Royal]

I don't think it'll persist. You grow em' like gangbusters. It may have just been a transition thing. Just do what you do and you'll do fine. You cant argue with aggressive root growth.

[quiltergal]

I agree with Royal. I think they have been trying to grow towards a light source. If the pot gets reoriented for whatever reason, the growth has to reverse course. I think you'll find under lights the new growths will come in nice and straight. I like Mauro's tip of staking the bulbs straight up when they're young. It's tidied up a very gangly Blc. I have. Makes more room on the shelf!

[Becca]

That is what is stumping me, the two new growths that have grown while in my care are wavy as well. I'll hope it is just the light.