Is New Cattleya Pseudobulb Growing From Backbulb Normal?

[Ginger9899]

Hi, I have a seemingly happy, healthy Cattleytonia that is growing a normal new pseudobulb off the newest pseudobulb. I was shocked to turn it around and see that it is at the same time growing a new pseudobulb off one of the oldest pseudobulbs also. I think there are like 5 or 6 mature pseudobulbs total, and then these 2 new ones starting. I am still pretty new to orchid growing so I am not sure if this is common or not, thanks for any info.

[WhiteRabbit]

There are usually at least a couple of eyes ( where new growth comes from) on Catt pbulbs. Dormant eyes can "wake up" at a later time. This is often after plant has been divided, or if other new growths died, but can happen without those situations.

[Ginger9899]

Thanks WhiteRabbit. I repotted this orchid earlier this year into a basket with a little bark because it would not stay in the old pot, wanted to grow on top of the media only. Since then it has given me 2 flower spikes, tons of new roots and now 2 new pseudobulbs. I guess I made it happy

[james mickelso]

A happy camper. Orchids grow their roots on top the media and that is natural. We put them in pots to keep the roots humidified. And to present them better. Just keep on keepin on. If this is a division, the old pbulb thought it was the lead and so threw a new pbulb. Nothing unusual about it.

[tucker85]

Cattleyas love to grow in open baskets in South Florida. I'm in Ft. Lauderdale and I grow most of my catts in baskets. The DNA of the plant has something to do with how many new leads will develop. Some cattleyas produce new leads easily and grow into large specimen plants that can produce lots of flowers. Other catts will just grow along like a vine with just one lead and be reluctant to produce more leads. Some of the really big catts will behave like that. It sounds to me like you have a good orchid and that you're do a great job of growing it.

[Ginger9899]

Thanks James and Tucker, I appreciate the info. I do think it is a good orchid. It's tough and has stayed strong through my learning curve. Took me a full year to even know what it was. It was a tiny 2 bulb NOID thing that I was unsure about - "it kind of looks like a Cattleya, but the flowers don't look the same and it's smaller..." I then saw a picture of a Ctna. Why Not and said bingo. This new pseudobulb off the back started as soon as I turned the basket around in an effort to get the first new bulb to stand up a little in the opposite direction. I wondered if that had anything to do with it.

Thanks again, the more pseudobulbs the better, No dividing for me