When/ how do cattleya orchids grow flower spikes?

[Tropicgirl]

Phals can be tricked into blooming by exposing them to cooler temps at night. I'm pretty sure catts are the same. Not sure what the day to night temp difference should be but I'm thinking 10 degrees. Maybe someone else knows for sure.

What kind of light do yours get? Since they are indoors, I'm thinking the catts may need a higher light level to flower?

I let mine cycle as they want and since they are outdoors all year they got the cold they needed and some are blooming for me now.

[trdyl]

Hi Joyce.

Slc Jewel Box 'Dark Waters' once it has reached maturity it will blom off of every new growth in its season usually between Feb and Apr sheath or no sheath.. When I lived in Arkansas I would have the first flush of blooms in time for Valintine's Day and the second flush a few weeks later. It usually produces two frotws per year with up to 6 flowers per spike. At least that is as many as I could cox from it. But usually I would get 3 or 4 on a spike.

I believe your Siam Jade is a Spring and Fall bloomer

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't think you can expect as many blooms as a phal or cym on a catt ...
Some catt types may get 2-3 blooms, some will get more, but I don't think you can expect the number of blooms a phal or cym would produce.

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I don't think you can expect as many blooms as a phal or cym on a catt ...
Some catt types may get 2-3 blooms, some will get more, but I don't think you can expect the number of blooms a phal or cym would produce.

Exactly right on that one it does depend on the paticular catt but will never be as many as a phal usualy willl in good condition.I think from what I have read 6 would be a good count per spike and about the max....but on some 2 will be the max, also depends on species in the background.