Spike died on Burana Beauty

[Zabeta]

Hi everyone,

At Leafmite's suggestion, I bought a Potinara Burana Beauty in Dec. 2015. Between February and now, it matured two new growths, and last week I discovered a new spike growing from one of them. I was ecstatic, but now I'm devastated, because it appears to be drying out!

I'm just wondering what could have gone wrong. We had some low humidity levels recently (30s), and some hot days. But really, overall the temperature has been very moderate for this time of year and we've even had some drizzle that sent the humidity way up (up to about 50%, that is).

- It gets enough light. Leaves are not rich green, more like a lime color or slightly lighter.
- I feed it lightly every time I water with K-Lite, and when I remember (which isn't often) with Kelpmax.
- I water it about two times per week, which is enough time for it to thoroughly dry. The old pb's are pretty wrinkly and deflated, but the new ones are firm. I might start watering an extra time per week (that might sound crazy, but as I said - low humidity, good sun, some pretty hot days).

What could have caused this? And will it ever try to bloom from that p-bulb again, or is that one used up now?

Thanks for any help!

[cjm3fl]

I've had an issue with a flower "stalk" stop developing on my NoID cattleya.

I live in central Florida, with higher humidity, and mine is mounted in a large potted Ficus tree, getting filtered sunlight.

I suggest that you leave this alone, not matter what helpful answers you get from the other members.

After leaving mine alone, new growth (another plant) grew. Then a few months later a 3rd new plant developed.

The 3rd and 1st flower "spikes" bloomed...but the 2nd plant's never did.


My leaves are edged in reddish color, telling me they are getting just slightly more light then needed..but there is no burn spots on the leaves.


Yellowing leaves would be a concern if I noticed them on my plants.

Is it possible it's getting too much fertilization?
I feed my sparingly. About every 2 weeks at 1/2 strength.


I'm sure someone will be along shortly with good advice to help you with this cattleya.
I just wanted to share my story about a "failed spike" on my cattleya.

[Zabeta]

Thanks, Chuck. Did yours dry up, or just pause in its growing? Mine is actually shriveling up! :-(

[Orchid Whisperer]

Sometimes I've had first spikes fail on Cattleyas.

Later spikes usually bloom well with no problems.

Best wishes for the next time! Maybe on the next growth?

[Zabeta]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Sometimes I've had first spikes fail on Cattleyas.

Later spikes usually bloom well with no problems.

Best wishes for the next time! Maybe on the next growth?

Thank you! I hope so! This one appears to have bloomed before, though.

[cjm3fl]

Mine are growing horizontally, due to them being mounted in the tree.
The "top" sheath dried and was completely thin (empty) to the touch/pressing my fingers together--lightly.

When the 3rd plant started to produce a bloom, I lightly pressed this "top sheath" again, and noticed a bump inside.

The 3rd plant produced 3 blooms, while the 1st plant produced only a single bloom...but it was a single bloom I wasn't expecting.


Now the 2nd, unbloomed, plant also has a dried looking/to the touch sheath.
Just like the other two do, after they've completed and dropped their bloom(s).

So I'm leaving all of them alone even though removing them would increase their appearance.

These ones mounted in the Ficus tree, 5 different ones in total, are my first cattleyas and since 3 have already bloomed for me I pretty much just leave them alone, except for my watering and feeding routine.
I even let the faded blooms drop on their own.

[Zabeta]

Originally Posted by cjm3fl

The "top" sheath dried and was completely thin (empty) to the touch/pressing my fingers together--lightly.

Ah, okay, yours is a slightly different situation. Mine didn't create a sheath first, so the spike came directly from between two leaves. It's not the sheath that dried up, but the spike itself. I think it's a goner, unfortunately.

[Leafmite]

Did this grow new roots since you have bought it? I usually prefer to buy my Cattleyas as seedlings and they grow for years in the same medium (red lava rock) so I don't usually have this issue. I often lose the next round of blooms when I buy an orchid that is bloom-size. Some Cattleyas bloom best when they have a good root system established and it can take a growth cycle to achieve this. The next bloom cycle should go better for you. I think Burana Beauty is one that grows the new pseudobulb, blooms, then puts out roots.

I messed up many of my Cattleyas by trying to grow them in LECA (moved around too much) and I have a bunch of new seedlings so I am not expecting many Cattleya blooms this year. Once the bloom-size ones get established and the seedlings grow to maturity, though, I should have a nice show going again.

I have a new one to recommend to you:
Pot. Hawaiian Prominence `America' AM/AOS'

[Zabeta]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Did this grow new roots since you have bought it?

I have a new one to recommend to you:
Pot. Hawaiian Prominence `America' AM/AOS'

Thanks so much, Leafmite! It's actually grown a ton of new roots since I got it! It's been growing like a weed and has been completely unfussy until the spike went dry. That's why I'm so baffled! Maybe I became too complacent, thinking it was so easy.

Ooh, I'll check that one out. Thanks! I think I love Potinaras! :-)

[Leafmite]

The one I recommended is very fragrant and it is one that blooms often throughout the year. I have been buying more hybrids lately because, as much as I love the species, I want a few Cattleyas that bloom more than twice a year.
If you have trouble with the next bloom, it will be a humidity/heat issue. I have lost my Angraecum leonis buds twice because of that. I am glad that the orchid is doing so well for you.