Cattleya New Growth question

[MACH5]

Thanks James! If it doesn't put out a bloom, does that mean I did something wrong? Or does this happen naturally from time to time and is just part of growing orchids?

[Wynn Dee13]

Not every lead puts out flowers. If they don't it could be for many reasons like not enough light, the new growth didn't get big enough, the plant isn't mature enough, and sometimes with mine they bloom on one lead then put out another right after and then that lead doesn't flower. There are lots of reasons for no blooms. But hopefully you will see some blooms soon!

[MACH5]

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

Not every lead puts out flowers. If they don't it could be for many reasons like not enough light, the new growth didn't get big enough, the plant isn't mature enough, and sometimes with mine they bloom on one lead then put out another right after and then that lead doesn't flower. There are lots of reasons for no blooms. But hopefully you will see some blooms soon!

Thanks Wynn Dee! I am trying to be very mindful of lighting for my Catts since I know this is key in having success with them blooming. Hopefully I am giving it enough light and the standard weekly/weekly fert regime. It's growing outdoors in semi-shaded conditions for the Summer/Fall seasons in the hopes to get them in the "mood" I guess we'll see but I'm hopeful

[james mickelso]

Wynn Dee is right on. But I think given the right culture, every orchid, if old enough, should flower. If they don't, then something in the culture is missing or mis-timed. The new growth there should flower once it has matured. There is enough old growth and it has enough light. One thing I read in the old aos mags is that the ratio of N to K and P has to be right ...at the right time for some orchids to initiate flowering. Too much nitrogen and the orchid just makes more new growth. In the wild, from what I have read through the years, is during the rainy season, there is a greater ratio of nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Once it starts to rain less, the ratio of nitrogen to potassium and phosphorus favors the latter two elements and initiates the production of flowers because in nature, during the rainy season, all the pollinators are worms and such, and when it starts to dry out these become flying pollinators. More or less. So my suggestion is to change the ratio of nitrogen to the other two once the growths are almost finished and before the flower initiatuion. See if that helps. Can't hurt.

[MACH5]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Wynn Dee is right on. But I think given the right culture, every orchid, if old enough, should flower. If they don't, then something in the culture is missing or mis-timed. The new growth there should flower once it has matured. There is enough old growth and it has enough light. One thing I read in the old aos mags is that the ratio of N to K and P has to be right ...at the right time for some orchids to initiate flowering. Too much nitrogen and the orchid just makes more new growth. In the wild, from what I have read through the years, is during the rainy season, there is a greater ratio of nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Once it starts to rain less, the ratio of nitrogen to potassium and phosphorus favors the latter two elements and initiates the production of flowers because in nature, during the rainy season, all the pollinators are worms and such, and when it starts to dry out these become flying pollinators. More or less. So my suggestion is to change the ratio of nitrogen to the other two once the growths are almost finished and before the flower initiatuion. See if that helps. Can't hurt.

Will do. Thanks James!! I think that's another reason I got attracted to orchids. They do not just flower so casually it seems but you sort have to work for it! I like challenges

[MACH5]

Ok as promised i am posting a couple of pics of my second Catt. This lead is further along than in the other plant. This one is growing quite fast! I remain hopeful that it will eventually spike for me. Looking at it, it does not seem that this plant has ever flowered.

[james mickelso]

I would start feeding this with a bloom booster fertilizer at every watering. Dilute of course. In about a month you will see a sheath. Some catts sheath and others send up buds naked. Also I would give it as much light right now as it can stand.

[james mickelso]

And, after it blooms, I would find the rizome between the oldest two or three pbulbs and cut it with a sharp pair of cutters or a razor blade. When it flushes with new growth it will also send up new growth from the older pbulbs. If you don't cut the rizome the older pbulbs will just continue to feed the newer growths.

[MACH5]

Thank you James!!

[james mickelso]

What is it by the way? I see a tag but can't read it. Also it looks a little too green. I know pics aren't good at color fidelity but do you give it enough light? Here's soemthing similar.....