Pot. Burana Beauty thinning pbulbs?

[Bill U.]

Hi everyone! I have a quick question about the growth habits of my blooming-size Pot. Burana Beauty 'Burana' (PS- I know that "Pot." is an old classification term, but it's easier to stick with what is on the tag lol)

In the following pictures I have a couple of different shots showing older pseudobulbs versus the newer ones that have grown in my care. With all of the newer pseudobulbs, I have found that they are skinnier (not as plump) and a bit shorter than the pbulbs that were present when I bought it from Hausermann's last May/June. (tried to show the difference against my hand for scale as much as they would allow my hand in there.... lol)

I am curious if this is just the new "normal" that I will achieve under my care, or if it is struggling somehow? The newest growths are all slightly tinged with reddish-purple because I keep it under lights at approximately 2000fc (give or take) with some natural lighting filtering through my West window as well. The lights are on for 12 hours/day. I am able to achieve the 10°+F drop between daylight hours and night hours most nights.

Feeding schedule has been approximately every other watering at 50ppm Nitrogen or so. The entire plant has gotten a dose of Maxicrop liquid seaweed about once a month and has roots growing everywhere! I have had 4 new shoots start in the last 3-4 months.

What do you think? I am not truly experienced with catts yet and would like to get a gauge on how it's doing!

[Dart21]

As for my own experience encountering similar issues, it is typically a humidity/light/oxygen-flow/watering frequency/fertilizer regime issue. Does your fertilizer have the necessary micro nutrients? Do you supplement your fert. with anything additional (e.g. Superthrive, KelpMax)?

The red tinge is indeed an indication of more than adequate light. I've noticed with some of my own collection that when given more light the bulbs aren't quite as large either. It also depends on where you obtained it from, sometimes growing at home just cannot match the ideal conditions necessary to produce large/healthy pseudobulbs.

---------- Post added at 11:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 PM ----------

They will also fatten up in due time. Initially they don't always come up as swollen as they can be at full maturity.

[Bill U.]

As far as I know, my fertilizer has all of the micronutrients needed (I will have to find the box tomorrow to check). I do also use 2 tablespoons/gal of Maxicrop liquid seaweed about once per month and let each plant soak in a clean bath of it for about 20 min. I have a fan running 24/7 in the growspace and humidity normally hovers around 40%. I am wondering if it may be the difference between my grow space and the what it was getting at the grower's greenhouse.... when exactly do we know that a pseudobulb has reached full maturity? When it puts out another lead?

[tucker85]

It probably is, as you said, the new normal. Commercial growers have the perfect balance of light, humidity, watering, air flow, temperature and fertilizer for optimum growth. Most of us can't duplicate that perfect environment. In fact us home growers basically have one environment and the orchids need to adapt to it. About all we can hope for is to create an environment that is adequate but not perfect. Your fertilizer schedule sounds fine to me and liquid seaweed is loaded with micro-nutrients so your orchids are probably getting good nutrition. For plants grown indoors, I think once a month for the seaweed is fine. I think your orchid looks healthy and I wouldn't worry about smaller pseudo-bulbs right now.

[Bill U.]

That's great to hear. Thanks Tucker!

[james mickelso]

all very good info and absolutely correct. from your description it is light that you most lack. or the difference between yours and hausermans. be patient. yours will catch up. nice plant.

[Bill U.]

Thanks James. I am somewhat hesitant to give it too much more light because all of the newer growths are quite rosy in terms of reddish coloring. It does get a tiny bit of direct sun in the afternoon for about an hour or so (blinds are mostly shut, so only a little bit). But do you think that it would need more in the future? Hausermann's can kick my butt any day in terms of the ideal care of these guys! Lol. I will do my best to be patient!

[NYCorchidman]

I have about a dozen cattleyas (one mini, all other "standard"), all sitting by sunny windows.

Does your cattleyas flower under the light setup?
2000 fc sounds good, but cattleyas can generally take a lot more light. If yours bloom fine, then I think the light probably good.

Another thing to consider is fertilizing and watering, but you have mentioned fertilizing which sounds also good.
Do you water enough?

I only see smaller growths when the growths were made without adequate water, which is during the colder months. I fear that too much moisture on cold days and night might cause issues, so I tend to keep my cattleyas and other plants on the drier side.
The leads that grow during warmer times that are well watered grow just as big or bigger than ones grown at the greenhouse.

I even had more flower counts under my care, namely Goldenzelle "Lemon Schiffon"

I think all things ideal, watering could be the limiting factor at least from my experience.

[Bill U.]

None of my cattleyas have flowered yet under this setup, but I haven't worried about it too much yet since they have all been in my care for less than 8 months. I bought the Burana in bloom from Hausermann's last May/June and it was in dire need of repotting, so I don't know if it is just growing until it is somewhat root-bound again and then going to bloom (I have heard that the bifoliates don't like their roots disturbed and can "pout" for a season or two until they are really snug in the new pot) My other 3 catts are mini's that I have had since September that were divisions with very little roots, so they are putting out new growths and roots now and are still slightly tinged red.

Do you think they need more light?

I have been keeping them on the somewhat drier side because of the same concerns of them being quite damp and then cold next to the window at night.

[NYCorchidman]

Well, then you will just have to give some more time to see if they will bloom.
Do you have other cattleyas or dendrobiums that flower under this set up? That will give you an idea whether or not you have enough light for these cattleyas.

I also worry about plants staying too wet during winter. I plan to repot my cattleyas into clay balls or super big chunks of bark in the spring, so I don't have to worry much. but then I will have to water a lot more often during the warmer season. so not looking forward to it. lol