Cattleya questions

[mattryan]

I have several questions regarding a mini catt. I purchased it out of bloom over a year ago. At the time it had only 2 pbulbs it has gone on to grow 7 new pbulbs. I have not been able to get it to bloom. It gets lots of full am sun. The pbulbs just don't seem to be fattening up what am I doing wrong. Also I originally thought it was a bifoliate. Some of the new growths have 2 leaves some 3 and others 4. Is this normal? I have a potinara type catt and a sagarik wax and they are growing new sheaths (I did have a re-bloom with no sheath on my sagarik wax). This 1 catt has me stumped. I am growing it alongside them and 2 reed stem epi's that I have also managed to re-bloom. I have never seen this one's flowers and wondering what I need to be doing to see them. Thanks for the advice.

I do allow the catt to dry between watering and have been feeding a 20-14-13 since approx May (urea free). It was outside all summer and have brought it in since nights have been as low as below 10 degrees celcius. It now is in southern facing sliding glass door.

Sorry for long post thanks again

Cheryl

[fotofashion]

JMHO, the plant looks a bit young (immature). Give it some more time and the seemingly good culture you are already giving it and I'm sure it will bloom in ITS time.
Beverly A.

[tucker85]

It sounds to me like you're doing everything right. I agree with Beverly, the plant is still young and may need to mature before blooming. Do you know the name of this orchid? It looks like it has some bifoliate in it. Multiple leaves is not unusual in some hybrids. It looks very healthy to me and my guess is that it will eventually bloom for you.

[WhiteRabbit]

This looks a lot like my first orchid, which I still have (a noid, unfortunately) - but it's a reluctant bloomer. Was in bloom when I got it in '04, has only bloomed twice since. Has naturally rather slim pbulbs. Catt pbulbs can vary quite a bit, small slender and long, some club shaped, etc - and especially with intergenerics there can really be a wide variety.


pic from the last time it bloomed - 2 years ago

This one is making me crazy ... I think ours may be related If they are related - mine gets sheaths this time of year, but blooms the next spring/summer.

[mattryan]

Thanks for the help everyone. Unfortunately it had already bloomed...got it on sale rack. Not an idea what it's flowers will look like, hopefully it looks something like yours sonya it's beautiful . I have two that are making sheaths right now. I hope for next year for this reluctant bloomer. Thanks again

Cheryl

[WhiteRabbit]

Of course, right after I posted, I was outside, and realized I have a couple other compact Catt alliance intergenerics that also have similar growth, but bloom just fine, although the reluctant to bloom noid does sometimes get three leaves (may have gotten four on a couple) on some growth.

Also took some pix just regarding your pbulb question - yours may be as fat (or not) as they are supposed to be. Here are some of mine with slender pbulbs

1. noid - this is the reluctant bloomer today
2. Bullara (Cattleya, Encyclia, Guarianthe, Rhyncholaelia)
3. Lc
4. C intermedia

Regarding my reluctant bloomer, I've recently been wondering if I should withhold fertilizer over winter - the first rebloom from it was after it had been left outside and neglected all winter. BUT the second rebloom was after it had been indoors and cared for in the usual manner, so I don't know It has recently developed sheaths, but it got sheaths last year this time as well *sigh*

I hope we both get some blooms from our problem children soon!

[billc]

My lone catt looks a lot like yours. It's bloomed off growths that look exactly like the growth in your second pic, the one at 2 o'clock in front of the Lady speed stick.(do you use that on your orchids?)

Bill

[Leafmite]

This is a very good question. I gave away two NoID catts that grew like crazy and despite trying everything, they never bloomed (though they once had). Incidently, I discovered that some cattleyas can take full sun, all day, without any trouble (and still do not bloom!)....