Blc. Flower Sheath Questions?

[mquade]

Hi everyone!,

First of all, this is my first post on this site, and boy am I excited to be here! but anyways...

So I got a Blc. Paradise Jewel "Flare" a month ago, and it had just begun to grow a flower sheath when I received it (unknown to me, it being my first orchid, i thought it was just another leaf for the longest time)
The psuedobulb that it is on is also very swelled. Now the sheath has stopped growing, and if I shine a flashlight through it i can just begin to see a little 1/4" bud in the bottom of it and the base of the sheath is getting wider (yay!!) So my question is, when will this little bud grow and bloom into a flower? Can anyone give me an estimate from experience or knowledge? Also, the plant is growing a new pseudobulb, it has grown really fast, like it went from a little bud to 2" in less than a month, will this have any affect on the flower growth time?

Another thing, the sheath has little redish spots on it, it still seems completely healthy though, is that any cause for concern?

[dounoharm]

lol....it is very exciting watching the growth progression of orchids....it could take months for your little buds to transform into flowers....you will enjoy watching them grow....i wouldnt worry about the red spots on the sheath, that is just the coloration of the plant, probably for optimum light levels....the new growth wont affect the growth of the buds, it is normal development....good luck! and welcome!

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB!
The buds in the sheath can take several months to several weeks. Sometimes they grow really fast and sometimes they stall for awhile then grow again.
What kind of light are you giving your plant?
The reddish spots are fine.
Joann

[mquade]

Thank you both! I can't wait for it to bloom!

I currently have it in a east window, but the room is very open, so it pretty much gets light all day, sometimes I will move it outside if the humidity is higher, so it can get some full sun. I read the cattleyas enjoy more sun than other orchids? Is that correct? It seems to enjoy being outside, though, as the new growth took off after I started moving it. Unfortunately, our night temps are down into the low 50's which is too cold for it. Once summer rolls around, I plan to leave it outside all the time.. does this sound like a good idea?

[Zoi2]

Cattleyas need a LOT of light to bloom. I don't know as I'd go full sun outside all day, you are likely to burn it but a few hours would be fine once the plant gets used to the increased light levels.
Joann