Why does my cattleya not flower?

[Kath]

I posted this question on another thread, and savor said I should start another thread so here we go!

I have another question, although this may not be the right place. I have a cattleya which I've had for 5 years roughly, and last year it refused to flower. Does it mean I should transplant it into a bigger pot? Does the cattleya like that sort of treatment? Can it be done during the winter season.


There is a new spike beginning to show, so this might be a new flower spike. It has been is my new greenhouse this past year, and it may be the better treatment it's getting that it doesn't seem to like. I'll try some fertiliser this year. Does that sound ok?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What were the temperatures and humidity like in all the places you've tried growing the plant in? How's the light? What are the roots like? Do you have any pics?

I suspect it's not bright enough, but without a pic, no one can tell.

[Kath]

I hope these 2 photos will give a better idea of my problem! Thanks for your help

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Looks bright enough for them. The roots look kinda dry. They don't appear to have the typical green tips. Are they still alive?

You said you got this plant 5 yrs ago. Was it a seedling sized plant? Or was it a blooming sized division with very few backbulbs and a few lead growths?

[Kath]

I got it as a full sized plant from a garden centre, but it could be watering is my problem as it seems drier than normal. Should I give it the same treatment as my phals?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I would water more often, but Cattleyas do need to dry out completely between waterings. They come from dryer areas than Phals do.

I usually don't like to leave roots dangling in the air as well. May cause problems later.

How's the temperature of your growing area?

[Kath]

I usually don't like to leave roots dangling in the air as well. May cause problems later.

How do you cope with those roots then? Do you cut them off or guide them into the soil?

How's the temperature of your growing area?[/QUOTE]

I live in North West of France, so the climate is temperate, no frost but damp and cool in the winter. (Thanks to global warming, there's no more frost!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I repot them into a pot that will fit the plant's roots. I try not to go too big with the repotting.

I make a game out of it. It's called "Keep the Roots Growing Green Tips". The objective is to get the roots to grow green tips as much as possible.

If the temperatures don't drop below 55 F (13 F), you're golden.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You know what, I'm thinking a little bit more about your question on what to do with the Cattleya roots that just dangle, and here's one more additional answer to that question.

I also guide the roots that can be trained, in the potting media.

Not to mention, I will sometimes pull the plant out of the pot and re-organize them so that the roots grow into the pot. Then I pot them back up in the same pot, if they're still able to fit into it. I do this with my Neofinetia falcatas pretty regularly, and I just recently did it today for my Maxillaria picta.

[Kath]

I just thought I'd "put a cat amongst the pigeons": if nature put roots dangling in the air on the Cattleya, shouldn't one respect that and leave them where they are, dangling in the air!