Surprise Off-Season Bud

[Junebug]

I was both surprised and delighted to find a bloom sheath with a developing bud on my Cattleya a few weeks ago. She normally blooms around February or March. Last year she had several sheaths in the fall and all of them turned brown and dried up. The new bud has now emerged from the sheath and should open soon. This Catt was purchased as a bare root at HD many years ago. I think the only description was Cattleya and I don't ever remember seeing a name tag. She produces large purple velvety blooms that are wonderfully scented. I can hardly wait. She does have other sheaths on some tender new growths. I can't imagine that they'll bloom for several months and there's no indication of bud formation yet. Is it possible that this Catt has matured enough to bloom twice a year? I know some of them do so, but I've never had the good fortune.

[bellini girl]

Don't you just love surprises !! Way to go. Do post more pics when the buds fully open

Lecent

[Chubidubi]

Remember to post some of her new bloom

[Roly0217]

I love those unexpected buds. They put a smile on your face. Keep us posted on this chid and upload some pictures as soon as it opens. Congrat!!!!

[Don Perusse]

When the buds open it always puts a smile on my face. Sometimes a surprised look (first time bloomer) and sometimes nostalgic picture in my head. Velvetly sounds good to me!

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Don Perusse

When the buds open it always puts a smile on my face. Sometimes a surprised look (first time bloomer) and sometimes nostalgic picture in my head. Velvetly sounds good to me!

I agree with all of the above and when they smell good it's almost intoxicating.

[Junebug]

The hot weather has encouraged my off season Cattleya bloom to start opening and now I'm in ! February, Two years ago, this plant produced large, fragrant, deep magenta blooms. If I didn't know better I'd think this was a different plant. (Notice the color of the bloom) I have only two sizeable catts and they're pots are completely different, so there's no confusion here. Could the hot temps and unseasonable blooming time cause a difference such as this? Sorry, I have no photos of her previous blooms. Last year she produced many sheaths but no blooms. Has anyone ever experienced something like this before? This new bloom hasn't produced a fragrance yet either.

[lostonthebeach]

It may be too soon for fragrance. Give it a few more days. But I just have to say that is a very nice healthy plant. Nice Growing.

[Ross]

I don't know much about Cats, but some of my intergenerics have bloomed constantly over the last 18 months. Winter, spring summer, doesn't matter. Seems like the pseudobulb gets to a certain size and out pops one or more spikes. I have a Beallara right now that has been in either blossom, growth/spike, or just growth steadily. There has been no rest for it. So, yes, I believe orchids that in nature are spring bloomers, can bloom just about anytime. I feel it is the steadily increasing knowledge we have been aquiring about culture and cultural techniques. Without this board, I would never have experienced the growth and blossoming I have the last couple years.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Ross

I don't know much about Cats, but some of my intergenerics have bloomed constantly over the last 18 months. Winter, spring summer, doesn't matter. Seems like the pseudobulb gets to a certain size and out pops one or more spikes. I have a Beallara right now that has been in either blossom, growth/spike, or just growth steadily. There has been no rest for it. So, yes, I believe orchids that in nature are spring bloomers, can bloom just about anytime. I feel it is the steadily increasing knowledge we have been aquiring about culture and cultural techniques. Without this board, I would never have experienced the growth and blossoming I have the last couple years.

I must have not been clear. This bloom is not the same color as the dark magenta this plant usually produces. Could the heat be having an affect on the color of the bloom?