Reblooming Cattleya's

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Hello All:
I am beyond frustrated by my inability to rebloom Catt's. I have the following:
POTINARA BURANA BEAUTY ORCHID PLANT
NO ID Cattleya
BIN-Blc. Sun Spots 'Waiomao's Golden Leopard'
They are all blooming size and I give them as much sun as they can take. I water and fertalize reguarly. They are very healthy- but they will not bloom.
I've narrowed it down to (perhaps) failure to give a winter rest (short days, cooler temps, reduced sun). As I live in Michigan I use grow lights to overwinter my collection. (lights on for 12 hours)
Cold this be preventing the bloom cycle? If they're not getting those natural signals for the growth cycle.
I am really frustrated. Does anyone have suggestions or advice?
Thanks!!

[isurus79]

Lack of light is the usual culprit for this. Can you describe "as much as as they can take?" Also, do you have any photos of the plants?

[Paphluvr]

What sort of Winter nighttime temperatures do you give them? What is the differential temperature between night and day?

[Rhonda Svoboda]

In the fall winter if no one is home I turn the heat down to 60. When we get home I turn it up to anround 70 and at night I turn it down to 60.
However, the orchids are next to a bank of southern windows so its much colder by the windows. I do give them a difference between day and night.
Rhonda

[estación seca]

It might be the 12-hour winter days. Try 8 on, 16 off. It might be insufficient watering in the growing season. Tiny Cattleya seedlings suck sphagnum moss dry faster than much larger Oncidium seedlings. They can use a large amount of water if roots are healthy and happy.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Thanks.That what I was thinking. I'll give it a shot

[chilover]

I also live in Michigan and could never get my cattleyas to rebloom until I started putting them outside in the summer. I use grow lights on them also in the winter but they stay outside from June until September. I usually get some to bloom while outside and some do when I return them back into the house. Others don't bloom until early spring.

[SouthPark]

Could show some photographs of these ones - good resolution photos - just to see if anybody can spot anything to add.

[Orchid Whisperer]

My indoor / outdoor Cattleyas get enough light that the leaves are Kelly green or a little more yellow than that. They get the occasional sunburn mark, but the full-grown plants bloom reliably.

As others have suggested, good photographs would help. Also what do the roots look like? Plants that bloom have strong root systems.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Shout out to chilover in Michigan. I grow my Catt's the same way you do. I've attached pic's. They all have good root systems and all have new psuedobulbs starting.
I am thinking this year will be different as last year I didn't grow them in full sun (morning) and I didn't know how to take care of them so I'll keep everyone posted !!
Thanks again. I am learning so much from this site and I am glad I found it!