Thinking about buying a Catt with some doubts

[rbarata]

Today I noticed one of the leaves is much more red (twice more than yesterday) so I put it a litle more far from the window.
About the honeydew, I've inspected the bud and it doesn't seem to be the case. Maybe it's still developing because it's small, at least smaller than I expected in a catt.

[silken]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Today I noticed one of the leaves is much more red (twice more than yesterday) so I put it a litle more far from the window.
About the honeydew, I've inspected the bud and it doesn't seem to be the case. Maybe it's still developing because it's small, at least smaller than I expected in a catt.

Catt buds can be small or large. There is a large range of size. If the bud is partly cracked open, which I thought I saw, it may be ready to open. But just from a picture I can't say for sure so best to wait and see.

[rbarata]

Yes, it's partially open. The sepals are still connected at the tips but the rest is opened already. I don't know the opening sequence. In the case of my cambria, for ex, the tips are the first portion of the flower to open.

Maybe it will open completely when I water it again. BTW, what are the symptoms of a thirsty catt?

Here are two photos of the bud (the flowers are turning red too):

[silken]

Most of my Catt buds crack open like that and then release at the tip and spread open. It usually only takes a few days at most once they are at this point. If its been much more than that, I would say they are maybe stuck. I guess you could take a toothpick and gently pry on edge free and see what happens. But at your own risk! That's just my personal experience with the Catts I grow. Too bad there aren't more buds because you could try helping one bud open and if it didn't like that, you would have others to fall back on.

As far as symptoms of a thirsty Catt., leathery or soft leaves are symptoms. They should only be watered once they dry out thru the pot. Then well watered and allowed to dry again. Sometimes symptoms of a thirsty catt are caused by poor roots that are unable to take up moisture. Watering will not fix this. When you got your plant did you pot it or is it in the same pot it came in? Is the media a good open mix? The roots need to drain well and get air.

[rbarata]

The pot is the same when I bought it. I was hoping this bud to open and then I would repot it.
The medium seems to be old, at least there's at seems to be moss on the top of it and is small areas of the rizome.

[bil]

Me, I repot everything as soon as I get it. I never trust anyone's potting but my own, and then not 100%.

Catts are a thick root epiphyte, and I like them planted in a shallow layer of coarse bark chunks, and nothing else. Then I don't have to worry about overwatering.

If you use a medium that has compacted or broken down, then it IS important to dry it out so air can enter the medium. With a nice open medium, it is pretty well impossible to overwater.

[rbarata]

When should I repot it? After the only flower dies or qhen it dies without blooming?

[silken]

Anyone else have an opinion here?? I think he should try and open the tips of that bud before it blasts. But I don't want to be solely responsible if that ruins it. I just think it would be open by now if all was well.

And as soon as the bloom is done, repot.

[rbarata]

Anyone else have an opinion here?? I think he should try and open the tips of that bud before it blasts. But I don't want to be solely responsible if that ruins it.

Don't worry, I'll do it under my responsability.
Best is to use a razor blade if it's not glued.

[bil]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Don't worry, I'll do it under my responsability.
Best is to use a razor blade if it's not glued.

I'm always reckless. I would try and open it with a tooth pick first.