Help with cattelya

[Brownthumb10]

I got this cattelya last June, it was in bloom. It has 2 new leaves but no sign of blooming. All advice welcome. I hope the picture attaches.

[dounoharm]

it looks too green....I think it needs more sunlight, good luck....

[Brownthumb10]

Originally Posted by dounoharm

it looks too green....I think it needs more sunlight, good luck....

I have had it in a sunny windowsill. I just moved outside today because I read they have very high light requirements. Think that will help?

[euplusia]

Often Cattleyas flower only once in a year. The plant is healthy and given enough light it will flower when the time has come.

[tucker85]

Most cattleyas bloom once a year. Since it bloomed last June, it's probably a summer bloomer. If your culture is good, you can anticipate that it may bloom again during the summer.

[Optimist]

Watch that outside business. They still need some shading. I have mine outside too, in the shadow of a building, and the leaves are going light green. I think there are a lot of factors to sort out, but giving it as much outside time as possible is a good thing. I have a humidity issue myself, but I plan to create a big kids swimming pool slash water feature till I can get the job done right outside. Best wishes.

[Brownthumb10]

If it is a summer bloomer, when should I expect to see a bloom spike? Also, how does the pot size look? Thanks!

[plantbuddy]

Don't know where you're located but if you can put it outside you must be waaay south. Be carefull to acclimatise it to the bright sun slowly, or it'll get burnt.

Also, it looks like a fairly young plant, but certainly big enough to bloom in it's season. Keep doing what you've been doing. It looks good and healthy!

[trdyl]

Before you'll see a bloom spike, that new growth that you have will have to mature first. It is where it will flower from'

As far as pot size goes it is fine for now but it should be put into a larger pot when the new root are sprouting from the newest growth. As for choosing a new pot, choose one that allow for about two years of growth and no more than 7 inches deep. Cattleyas do like to dry out between waterings. If the pot is too deep it will never dry out.

[james mickelso]

I would like to see pics of the base of the plant at the junction of the pbulbs. That is where the action will take place. Although this bloomed from one pbulb last year it may not be old enough to bloom from this new growth. It bloomed last season because it was forced. It was grown in a very bright, warm, breezy environment where it thrived. It had enough energy stored in all the back bulbs to warrant a bloom. Now it is much cooler and from the color it has not received enough light for the size of the new growth to bloom. Carefully introduce it to more light as this season progresses until it is a pale green. Not yellow/green but a pale green. The reason I would like to see close-up pics of the bases of the pbulbs is because I don't think these new growths will flower. But the new growth buds down at the base of these will probably flower next summer. Around August or Sept if they start growing in the next month or so. These new pbulbs are the stores of energy the next growth will need to produce flowers. There may be hidden flowers down in the leaves on these new pbulbs but they should already be apparent unless these are producing small flowers. The media and pot size look very good here. I would place a layer of gravel on the bottom of the clay pot so that the black plastic pot has enough air space on it's bottom. A few more pics please.