Cattleya walkeriana semi alba question

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

I bought two of the same plant you have, same source, same bag, same media. have had them for a few months and they are both in bud. One had two flower buds and I knocked one off during transport from outside under the peach tree to inside garage for a few days of very cold weather. The second plant has 3 buds growing. Both plants are mounted on planks of cedar live edge and doing great. Will take a couple of pictures tomorrow and attach them for your perusal... its late now...
The point here is that this plant cattleya walkeriana is species plant from Brazil and it likes to be mounted on some sort wooden media such as a hardwood basket or tree fern OR an empty clay pot will serve the same culture experience. This plant requires a very dry period in between watering. It needs air around the roots and as much light as you can give it. Mature plants are exposed to full tropical sun in their native habitat. If unsure how to provide a mount for it I suggest to go the empty clay pot way. It will then get plenty of air to roots and you can water as much as you like as it will dry very quickly.
This may not have been the easiest plant to start growing orchids with, however a little of information goes a long way... hope you like fragrant orchds...

[cluelessmidwesterner]

Ben,

You message gives me some hope (I think). In way it sounds - in terms I understand - like I intended to buy a Aussie pup and ended up with getting Malinois. (Both are herding dogs, busy and intelligent but the Mal is all that on steroids.)

That in a month's time she hasn't grabbed her leafy pseutbulbs and gone roots up (or the lack there of in this case) is sort of a triumph for me whilst she's in my care. I am not under any illusion that she still couldn't do so, since orchid from what I've read don't do anything "quickly". I just want to give her a fighting chance.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

Here are my two clones of same walkeriana you have, both in bud... will re-post when they spread their wings.... hopefully there will be no more damage...

[cluelessmidwesterner]

Nice looking plants.


Hopefully next year at this time my plant will have bounced back enough for the pseudbulbs to plump up like those and it has severe new growths. Most likely since mine is so set back it won't bloom next year. Who knows. I just had a miniature rose that "shouldn't have" because dropping most of its leaves because a combination of moving indoors from outside plus black spot outbreak due to a wet fall. It turned around gave me a single bud after a month of foliage regrowth after the start of treatment. I thought it had not enough sunlight and the temperature where it over winters too low. (The temperature in this room is in the 50s this time of year)The rose decided differently and it's putting on more foliage.

[SaraJean]

Not sure if you have seen this yet but these are some outstanding culture notes and tips from Mr. Harry at H&R Nurseries C walkeriana - Tips for Growing & Blooming


I’ve followed these to a T, taking into consideration my conditions, and I have had fantastic results. And that is without having any experience with Cattleyas prior to starting to grow walkerianas... A rootless purchase from last year is recovering well, seedlings are doing great, and I have several in spike or bud. Two of mine currently in bud have experienced nights in the low 50s but warm up during the day. They all get watered early on warm sunny days and are potted in a way that they dry off in a few hours. I try to increase the light in winter when they are not in bud and grow them a bit shadier (bright but filtered) in the summer

Keeping it as warm as possible for now while you have it in the sphagnum tent would probably be beneficial. Cold and damp can be a major issue for these. But, as others have said, you may not see much happening till early spring when this hits a growth cycle. But when they grow, they can really grow.

This was also one of the project plants a few year ago. It might be helpful to read through that thread, under the member projects section, as well. It’s a long one but worth sifting through

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

and here is the one plant with 1 bud opened up, second bud was knocked off by Mr klutz himself while moving plants around...second plant has 2 medium sized buds progressing ok, third bud dried up. less than formal picture... not quite setup yet for that yet...

[cluelessmidwesterner]

Originally Posted by Ben_in_North_FLA

and here is the one plant with 1 bud opened up, second bud was knocked off by Mr klutz himself while moving plants around...second plant has 2 medium sized buds progressing ok, third bud dried up. less than formal picture... not quite setup yet for that yet...

What a great bloom.

I purchased mine several months after you bought yours and probably mine withstood more "neglect" i.e. transport to a different climate, poor lighting in the store, slipshod watering schedule and so on before I got her. Then a month in my care with a beginner's level of care so the likelihood of her blooming this coming year is slim to none (and Slim is walking towards the door). If I can get her to root and through next summer maybe she'll spread her feathers for me a year or two.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

Csttleya walkeriana is a tough plant, have seen several in same baggies that I bought mine, stay in store for months without a single drop of water and they still looked like they could survive if given a chance,