Hello and questions on two of my orchids

[Orchid Addicted]

Hi,
Although my user name is Orchid Addicted my name is Jay. I have been growing a few orchids (about 6) for about a year now. There are two in particular I have a question about. They are both hybrids and are both Cattleyas The first is "Gleneyrie's Green Giant" and the second is "Imperialis". I've had (GGG) since last July and have been feeding it and watering it weekly/weakly. when I first got it, it was in sad shape and was bought at Lowes here in Manchester, CT. "Better Grow" The leaves are very healthy and bright green. I've been growing all my orchids in a south window upstairs and have been feeding as noted. GGG is my first orchid and it has about five leaves with sheaths and two new ones just starting to grow. The roots look green and healthy. When can I expect GGG to bloom and what should I be on the watch for in terms that its getting ready to bloom? I've recently bought Imperialis and it is also a Better Grow from Lowes and was quite healthy when I bought it and has healthy leaves with new buds and starting to send out new roots, while older roots appear quite healthy too. I don't expect it to bloom anytime soon as I thinks it might be too young, but when should I expect it to bloom? At what time of the year should these two orchids bloom? I think they're getting plenty of light, believe it or not, even more in winter. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[kindrag23]

I'm not that good on catts. The two I ordered from Home Cheapo had black rot and I just lost my last one after a 4 month battle with black rot complications.

I do hope you get some good advice on here. Would love to see some pictures of them.

Also sounds like you are doing some great work keeping them happy and healthy! Good growing, and welcome welcome welcome.

[silken]

Welcome to Orchid Board. I couldn't find a registered name for your Gleneyrie's Green Giant but I think yours might be Rlc. Ports of Paradise 'Gleneyrie's Green Giant'. There is an awarded cultivar with that name. The crossing of the two parents of that plant Rlc. Fortune x Rl digbyana will always result in a plant named Ports of Paradise. The cultivar name is a 2nd name attached in quote marks after the hybrid name. Based on when a lot of these were awarded over the years, they seem to bloom from late winter to early summer.

There was a hybrid named Imperialis but it is very old (1918) and I wonder if your are using the cultivar name for that one too. Does it say the parentage on the tag? There are a few cattleyas with that cultivar name.

Some cattleyas have a definite bloom season and some bloom whenever a new growth is mature and that could be several times a year. The sheath and buds are often slow to develop (but not always) so you may have to wait for spring for your Ports of Paradise to bloom.

[WhiteRabbit]

[Orchid Addicted]

Hi Silken.

You seemed to have nailed it on the head with the "Ports of Paradise" The growth appears to be quite healthy in spite of the condition I found it in a year ago this July. It's even started two new spikes. Am looking forward to when it blooms. As for 'Imperialis', further info on tag, MA410C Earl 'Imperialis' This is all the info on the tag. can you gleen any further info from this and any input you might have will be most helpful. Also, to Kindrag 23 I've had a few losses here too mostly new Phalaenopsis, too tightly packed in moss. I've been lucky enough to read up a bit on what to look for in healthy orchids and it's served me well. when buying orchids at Lowes. I've learned to always check out the roots and leaves. GGG was in rough shape when I first got it. It was near the end of the season. You could tell it was handled roughly, but you wouldn't know it now. I water and feed all my orchids once weekly and they seem to be doing well so far.

[silken]

Originally Posted by Orchid Addicted

Hi Silken.

You seemed to have nailed it on the head with the "Ports of Paradise" The growth appears to be quite healthy in spite of the condition I found it in a year ago this July. It's even started two new spikes. Am looking forward to when it blooms. As for 'Imperialis', further info on tag, MA410C Earl 'Imperialis' This is all the info on the tag. can you gleen any further info from this and any input you might have will be most helpful. Also, to Kindrag 23 I've had a few losses here too mostly new Phalaenopsis, too tightly packed in moss. I've been lucky enough to read up a bit on what to look for in healthy orchids and it's served me well. when buying orchids at Lowes. I've learned to always check out the roots and leaves. GGG was in rough shape when I first got it. It was near the end of the season. You could tell it was handled roughly, but you wouldn't know it now. I water and feed all my orchids once weekly and they seem to be doing well so far.

There is a current post of someone's Ports of Paradise GGG in bloom now on the forum: Blc. Ports of Paradise 'Gleneyrie's Green Giant' FCC/AOS -you should check it out-gorgeous! There is a registered C Earl 'Imperialis' MA410C is likely the nurseries catalogue number or such. C. Earl 'Imperialis' is a white bloom and the Imperialis clone has won several awards over the years. Earl is an early cross too from 1961. You have two very beautiful and classic Cattleyas!

[Orchid Addicted]

Thank you for your help thus far and I hope with a lot of TLC to see them in bloom.

---------- Post added 09-09-2013 at 12:17 AM ---------- Previous post was 09-08-2013 at 11:47 PM ----------

Just Viewed posted photos of GGG. Beautiful! Looks like I have something to look forward to. Was it grown in south window?