problem with C. intermedia's sheet

[monna lisa]

Hi,this evening I found that the unique sheath my C. intermedia has produced this year has suddenly turned from green to a purple-reddish color ...I think it's gone ,but I'm not sure,because I've never seen it's sheets before...can someone help me to understand what's happening?
Thanks

[DebsC]

Maybe if you could post a picture of the sheath, then somebody might be able to tell you what's happening with it.

Hopefully, it's not gone and you'll still get a flower from it. It sure is sad when we lose the flowers that close!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by monna lisa

Hi,this evening I found that the unique sheet my C. intermedia has produced this year has suddenly turned from green to a purple-reddish color ...I think it's gone ,but I'm not sure,because I've never seen it's sheets before...can someone help me to understand what's happening?
Thanks

To me it doesnt sound like anything is wrong with your plant's sheath. If it goes from green to redish or purple, all it means is that it is getting higher levels of light than before. Higher levels of light (short of burning!) tend to mean more flowers with more intense color! Sounds ok to me!! Pictures would help though.

[monna lisa]

Hi debsC and isurus79,thanks a lot for your replies:you've been so encouraging and kind!
I made an awful mistake writing the word "sheath" as "sheet",sorry.
This evening I've found the sheath completely withered.I think pics are no more necessary...hope next year will go better...

[nenella]

Monna Lisa, Sorry to hear that your flower/sheath has withered! good luck on the next!

[isurus79]

Many Cattleya types have their sheath shrivel and still bloom from it. Ive never owned intermedia though, so Im not sure if this species does that.

[monna lisa]

thanks nenella.
I really hope so,isurus79...that would be fantastic!

[quiltergal]

You're not alone in the witherer or about to wither sheath crowd. I have several that have done that this year. I'm crossing my fingers that they might still bloom from that sheath, but not holding my breath. They'll do better with the next mature growth. That's what I'm telling myself anyway!

[Shirley]

Monna, You might try snipping the very tip off the sheath so that you can open it up, in case some excess moisture has developed inside. This happens sometimes and if you catch it before it rots, you can sometimes save the flower.

[monna lisa]

Hi quiltergal,thanks for solidarity...it's sad when we loose flowers,but the good thing is that the plant is still alive and it can do better next time.
shirley:thanks for the advice,I'm going to snip the top of the sheath and see what it happens during the next months...