How to get...

[allaKAZAAM]

Hello all!
Even though I have decided to grow specifically Dendrobiums. I still have a lot of other species in my collection.
Now I know with certain types of Dens. you have to allow for a rest period, and a drop in temperature in order to get flower spikes.
How can you get a Cattleya to flower? I have a few with a lot..A LOT of new growth...but no buds showing. In particular I have a C. maxima that is very compact and lots of growth. I water weekly and fertilize weakly/weekly too!
Do they need a cold shot? Or is it something else altogether?
Any and all help would be nice,
Thanks
Mark

[BikerDoc5968]

I'm not hijacking this thread but want to add my and chime in on an additional query of mine.... I also have several catts with new pseudobulbs and several supporting very nice sheaths, but, sadly, all are dry...empty I give them sun, water, food and as much TLC as i can but no flowers. Any ideas

[Don Perusse]

Keeping in mind that I live in the SE US, they do require rather high light levels but NO direct sun or you can burn the leaves. Watering seems okay (5-7 days) and the fert. (weak-weekly) seem okay too. What kind of fert. formula do you use. Besides the 20-20-20 I add trace elements, KLN, and Super thrive once a month which may not be necessary but works for me.

[allaKAZAAM]

Originally Posted by Don Perusse

What kind of fert. formula do you use. Besides the 20-20-20 I add trace elements, KLN, and Super thrive once a month which may not be necessary but works for me.

Hello Don',
I use either MSU 12/2/14 for flowering...or Bio Grow 4-1-1/Bio Blitz 6-4-4 when in growing state (the Bio's are made from Pine Oil mostly with added other natural ingredients, the Blitz has Tea Tree Oil also).
I also occasionally use Super Thrive (when not in flower) also, though not as frequent as you do.
The C. maxima doesn't even produce sheaths, just lots of new growths...at this rate, the way this plant is growing. By this time next year it will be a superb specimen plant.
THEN...I will need it to flower! Will produce quit a few flowers should this continue.

Mark

[kiki-do]

I have my own special formula to get catts to flower. It's called P.A.M.P.
Prayer And Much Patience. It sounds like you've covered all the other bases.

[CodiMN]

I'm curious about this too. I'm wondering about lighting...I'm growing under lights...and wondering if my light spectrum isn't what they prefer. Any ideas or suggestions? :

[irrka]

and i'm wondering if i keep buying them and not blooming them should i just start throwing out the ones that keep making nothing but blank sheaths to make space for the new ones i want to buy.

[isurus79]

Remember most Catt species are seasonal bloomers. If you are expecting a C. maxima to bloom in May, its probably not going to happen because they grow in spring and summer and flower in late fall. You should find out when your species are supposed to bloom, when they are supposed to grow and if they are the correct size. Immature plants will not bloom and many barely mature plants (lets say with one sheath) will not bloom until they are larger. If they are absolutely of the correct size (mature) and they do not bloom in their "normal" season, then something is wrong with the cultural conditions or they are shocked because of something (think new plant in the house).

Oh, and bikerdoc, dry sheaths are often still ok. If its a complex hybrid, then what I just said above is off. Complex hybrids often bloom whenever they feel like it and you are on your own with them! I just stop watering them if they dont bloom to shock em. Works!