Lc. Lorraine Shirai 'Raye' x. Lc. Lou Gilmore 'Hartford' - Orchid Board

EDDIE · #1 04-20-2008, 04:32 PM

Hey guys!
I have had this cattleya for about 3 yrs. now...when I bought the thing it was supposed to be blooming size, it hasn't bloomed yet! It is a bifoliate...it has 5 mature growths + 2 new ones (the oldest of the two new growths has 2 leaves, the youngest growth is too soon to tell) I thought for sure that the oldest of the two new growths would have a sheath, but not so far! I keep it in a south window (the outside of the growths get a little sunburnt) the growths are olive green and it is in a 4" plastic pot, it is pretty cramped in the pot it is currently in (the id tag won't budge). I water it weekly, so it gets dry in between waterings. I usually feed it after every watering with 19-31-17 and a dropper full of superthrive plant hormones mixed in a gallon of water; although the past couple of weeks I've been using 20-10-20. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do to get this thing to sheath? Also, it has the night drop in temps. I can't seem to figure out what I'm doing wrong

Thanks for any help you can give!

tuvoc · #2 04-20-2008, 05:15 PM

Sometimes 'blooming size' can sure take a long time to bloom. I had one that took 5 years. Whew. My only thought would be stick with the higher nitrogen fertalizer. The 19-31-17 may have not have given it enough energy to grow and bloom properly. Everything else sounds pretty good. Just my thoughts.

Kim

Des · #3 04-20-2008, 05:25 PM

You are being way too good to that catt it needs to feel threatened . Cut back a bit on the nitrogen . Also I only give my catts one drop of superthrive into one gallon of water per month I have also found that difficult to flower catts do a lot better if grown in a wood slat basket ,they dont need to be pot bound .If that does not work place a garbage bin next to it , it should get the hint

snow · #4 04-21-2008, 12:26 AM

you are funny des

Oscarman · #5 04-21-2008, 01:46 PM

Does this cattleya hybrid have species that known to have photoperiod sensitive bloom cycles. If so is it getting the required period of uninterrupted darkess?

EDDIE · #6 04-21-2008, 09:36 PM

Thanks for your help guys...as for your question Dave, I'm not really sure if it does or not, I turn the lights out at around 9:30 or 10'ish and it gets daylight here around 7 or so. I don't know how many hours of uninterrupted darkness it would need. It could also be a fall blooming catt. not really sure tho'...

Dorothy · #7 04-21-2008, 10:13 PM

It's a beauty!

Amazon.com: Lc. Lorraine Shirai 'Raye' x Lc. Lou Gilmore 'Hartford'(photo): Kitchen & Dining

EDDIE · #8 04-21-2008, 10:21 PM

Thanks Dorothy! It is beautiful! Do you know if it blooms in fall or summer?

Dorothy · #9 04-21-2008, 10:37 PM

I do not know

Sorry

Don Perusse · #10 04-22-2008, 12:06 AM

Seven pseudobulbs and not flowering? That is strange. I would cut down on superthrive, fert. once a week and high light (no direct sun) I have over 50 cats and never have had that much trouble getting one to flower. Ask for any special requirements from where you got it? Depending on the cost, you may decide it's not worth keeping. Good luck