Anatomy of a cattleya

[Wathepleela]

I’m on my second catt so I’m still learning the basics:


Questions:
1) Each cane has only one leaf, therefore it’s a monopodial, correct?

2) Are they still called canes, I mean one fat bulb and then a leaf on top of it?

3) What we live for, a flower pouch, is that the correct word? I know that when it first comes out, it has only what’s called a sheath, then depending on how fervent your prayers are, there might or might not be a flower bud growing inside?

4) Now the money question, when does the sheath appear? Along with a new growth, or an adult leaf that so far has not bloomed, will eventually produce a sheath (with bud) when it is its turn to bloom. Or a sheathless cane will never bloom, period.

5) There’s one new growth that is coming up visibly day by day, it has 5 “sections” counting from the bottom (the below pic was taken when the plant first got home a week ago, by now the growth has doubled its size and height). For the life of me I can’t figure out which section is going to be what part of the new cane.


6) On a cane that has already bloomed, for the rest of its remaining life it will play only a support role to the rest of the plant, kinda like a nanny for the new upcoming canes … in other words it will never bloom again?

7) Last but not least what are those little bulbs clustering at the base of the plant, are they pseudo-bulbs simply playing cast of a thousand supporting players? Will they ever grow a leaf, sheath whatever?

Thank you in advance for your enlightenment. Much appreciated.

[silken]

Answers to the best of my knowledge:

1. One leaf is unifoliate, some Catts have 2 leaves and are called bi-foliate. Monopodial refers to a plant like a Phal that usually only has one growth and doesn't grow from a rhizome.

2. I guess you can call them canes, but they aren't really canes like a Den. I call them growths or pseudo bulbs (which to me includes the leaves if they have some).

3. It's called a sheath. Some Catts produce them, others just grow the bloom spike and no sheath. Some plants do both. A sheath at times and sometimes no sheath.

4. The time that the sheath or spike appears depends on what species it is or are in the cross. Usually once a new growth is just opening its leaves, you will see sign of a sheath. The bud that will grow can start growing right away or take 6 months to develop. It just depends on the type of Catt. Sometimes I have had what seems like a fully (but newly) mature growth then produce the spike or sheath. Only new growths will bloom. Usually old ones have either bloomed or have missed their chance to bloom due to various reasons.

5. Those multiple sections are just protective little leaves that protect the leaf as it emerges. Once the pseudo bulb begins developing these will dry up and pull away or they can gently be pulled away. I call them a sarong, for lack of a better term.

6. Yes, the growths only bloom once and then produce 1 or more new growths from active eyes at the base. They will then continue to help with photosynthesis and support for the new growths.

7. Those little leafless bulbs look like young rather old pseudo bulbs that have lost their leaves due to old age. They are back bulbs. They likely still play a small role in supporting the plant but being small it won't be as significant as larger back bulbs.

[Optimist]

They are sympodial, meaning they grow along a rhyzome. Vandas, phalenopses are monopodial. The most recent growth will have the flowers. Some have 2 recent bulbs. The older and stronger the plant the more new growths and the more flowers. The parentage of the plant determines many things; fatness of p-bulbs, sheaths, double leaves, more or less flowers etc. Lots of factors. Catt care seems a lot less hit and miss than oncidium alliance Though.

[Wathepleela]

Originally Posted by silken

6. Yes, the growths only bloom once and then produce 1 or more new growths from active eyes at the base. They will then continue to help with photosynthesis and support for the new growths.

And what are the "eyes"? I got on my four and looked just now and found one "something" at the base of one p-bulb. Can't tell whether it's a new growth or an "active" eye (and what does it look like when passive?) - coming out of an old sarong (...believe it or now, I'm wearing one at we speak, here men "relax" in their sarong at home )

[silken]

Originally Posted by Wathepleela

And what are the "eyes"? I got on my four and looked just now and found one "something" at the base of one p-bulb. Can't tell whether it's a new growth or an "active" eye (and what does it look like when passive?) - coming out of an old sarong (...believe it or now, I'm wearing one at we speak, here men "relax" in their sarong at home )

When not growing you can just barely see them as little triangular bumps at the base of each pseudo bulb. There are usually 2 or 3 viable ones and depending on conditions and the plant itself, one or more of them will start to grow and stick out a bit more prominently. From there, it will elongate into that 'sarong' covered growth. To become a mature and hopefully blooming pseudo bulb.

My hubby and I had the pleasure to visit Thailand a number of years ago and yes, in your climate a sarong is a comfy thing

[Wathepleela]

Yes, I think it’s a new growth coming out of the sarong and trying to squeeze itself out of that tight spot between two p-bulbs. I hope it wont’ grow up to be a back bulb!
Thanks silken and Optimist for your very informative replies, I really appreciated it. And if you happen to have an opportunity to come to Thailand (again), you’ll see what it’s like to live in a green house (and maybe get a summer home in the region.) Btw, the best time to visit is after the (western) New Year holidays, pleasantly cool with no rains!

A gem I just found on one of the threads, I can’t tell which one now. Anyway, paraphrasing:

“My cats also like repotting, but they tend to leave the plant outside the pot...”

Cheers and thanks again!