Cattleya bicolor - another

[Rosim_in_BR]

I've been growing this one for long time... since 96 if I recall well. Then someday I made a mess with it, did repot at the wrong time for some occasional need. These bifoliate don't forgive things like that. My plant got back to the seedling stage, taking long four years to get back flowering again, the flower you are seeing here, still small but enough to enjoy! Welcome back!

Cattleya bicolor Lindl. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Roly0217]

I think that I like the color the most on this one. gorgeous like always !!!!!

[Cookiemonster]

*collapses to the floor* NOW THAT is another level on its own, the rich metallic bronze and fiery fuchsia color in the lip....

[smweaver]

Mauro, that's absolutely stunning! I have a baby bicolor and I'm going to try my best to be patient for the next few years until it gets old enough to bloom. And I know what you mean about repotting the bicolor cattleyas at the wrong time. Last year I nearly made a fatal mistake with a C. amethystoglossa, repotting it before it initiated new roots (but as it had fallen off a bench and its clay pot had smashed, I had no other option). It sulked for three months and I watched helplessly as its old root system began to die and the leaves started to dessicate. Finally--through no skill of my own--the plant rebounded and produced a new root system on the newest growth it had just completed. And now it's got a short flower spike that's starting to elongate up the dry sheath. I promised that plant that I would never be so careless again. Congratulations on bringing your bicolor back to health. Even though it took many years for it to rebound, I'm confident that you believe it was well worth the effort.

Steve

[Tindomul]

How does one tell the correct time to repot? I'm just curious, even though I don't have any bifoliates.

[smweaver]

With amethystoglossa, guttata and leopoldii, a new flush of roots usually is produced after the newest growth has been completed (at least that's been my experience). So the old saying that the best time to repot is at the beginning of the new growing season is, for the bifoliates that produce roots after the completion of the newest growth, is a big mistake. They don't react well to having their old root systems disturbed. So if you repot at the first sign of a new growth or swelling at the base of last season's growth, you're asking for trouble. Again, this has just been my own personal experience. But I think that even after the bifoliates have been acclimated to a new environment, they still retain this particular habit.

[tuvoc]

Well, I think I just learned why I've never had any luck with these beautiful orchids. Thanks for showing us this gorgeous flower, Mauro, and thanks smweaver, your advice and insight. I'm going to try one again.

Kim

[Virgil]

I know it is just me but I am confused, Is the best time to repot bifoliates catts when new roots start developing or when Thanks Confused Virgil

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by smweaver

With amethystoglossa, guttata and leopoldii, a new flush of roots usually is produced after the newest growth has been completed (at least that's been my experience). So the old saying that the best time to repot is at the beginning of the new growing season is, for the bifoliates that produce roots after the completion of the newest growth, is a big mistake. They don't react well to having their old root systems disturbed. So if you repot at the first sign of a new growth or swelling at the base of last season's growth, you're asking for trouble. Again, this has just been my own personal experience. But I think that even after the bifoliates have been acclimated to a new environment, they still retain this particular habit.

You are perfectly right, Steve. Bifoliate Catts should always and only be repotted when the new flush of roots is beginning to appear (with all the care to preserve the root tips). I dare to say that repotting at the wrong time is most likely one of the main causes for the faillures with bifoliates. Sometimes, like you say, the new roots appear just after the new growth development is complete, like with amethystoglossa, leopoldii and others, but some other times the new roots appear while the buds are forming!!! This is very often seen with C. bicolor and C. intermedia. We, most of times, favor the flower and let the repotting activity to be done later and most of times these plants suffer a lot!

Originally Posted by Virgil

I know it is just me but I am confused, Is the best time to repot bifoliates catts when new roots start developing or when Thanks Confused Virgil

Virgil, I guess you can have things clarified reading the above post.

[Virgil]

I got it now Mauro, My plant is more important than a single years flowers so when I see new roots I know it is time to repot, I had a set back with my bicolor and now I know why,