Cattleya nubbins

[Jungeoma]

Most of my single leaved Cattleyas have this little nubbin started in the leaf axle which soon dies. What is it and what is it supposed to do.

[silken]

All of my Catts do that if they don't bloom. It may be the preliminary to a spike or sheath and if they aren't ready, then that is it. To me it is just the structure of the pseudo bulb where the leaf attaches.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Same here.

[tucker85]

I agree. Any leaf that doesn't have a sheath, will have that little nub. It's perfectly normal.

[Jungeoma]

So disappointing.

---------- Post added at 10:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:11 AM ----------

Afterthought... So how can one encourage them to flower?

[silken]

Are your Catts mature enough to flower? When you bought them were they rated as bloom size or small seedling, near bloom size etc?

If they have already bloomed then they should re-bloom for sure. Catts need quite high light, although not direct or enough to burn the leaves. Some may require a cooler night or cool winter rest. Most hybrids aren't too picky. The more compact Catts are sometimes easier to bloom or bloom more than once a year. Giving them a balanced fertilizer rather than high nitrogen will also help.

Why don't you tell us what you have and show some pics. You may get some more specific tips.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Originally Posted by Jungeoma

So disappointing.

---------- Post added at 10:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:11 AM ----------

Afterthought... So how can one encourage them to flower?

Not always. I still have some to bloom for me for the first time that I have had for at least 2 years. Not sure why I get some to and some not to, I know it's my fault. I am not a regular fertilizer and I under water.

How ever, some one had a tread and they were talking about Catt's blooming and not coming from a sheath. I think it was in September and I said I had never had one do that. In Oct. I had 3 of them do it just after I said that. When the new bud opened and it didn't have a sheath I didn't think they were going to bloom just to have them come from what you are showing. So some times they will come from that and bloom.

[silken]

I have lots that don't produce sheaths, and some produce one spike with a sheath and at the same time another spike without a sheath. It is really quite variable.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I also have some Catt alliance types that will make a sheath, but not buds. I find the sheath with no buds, or flowers with no sheath, happens when a plant is right on the verge of being mature enough to bloom. A bloom cycle or two later, you don't see either problem appear again.