Cattleya dowiana help request - Orchid Board

smweaver · #1 06-02-2009, 05:20 PM

Does anyone on this site grow Cattleya dowiana? If so, could you please give me an idea of how big the plants have to be (number and size of pseudobulbs) before they're considered flowering size? Also, does this species produce a large and noticeable sheath when it flowers (like mossiae's), or does it produce a more abbreviated (or maybe nonexistent) sheath? The reason I ask is because I've had two plants of this species for a few years now, and although they're easy to grow and produce multiple growths per year (one plant currently has two leads, and the other has three), I have yet to see any blooms. The leaves on my plants' newest growths are approximately 8 inches long by 2.5 inches wide, and they're growing alongside my vandas and aerides (which, I assume, is adequate light since those plants actually cooperate and flower!). I keep telling myself each year that I'm going to try and get rid of them because of (for me at least) their reluctance to bloom. They get hot, wet and humid growing conditions in very bright light during the summer, followed by cool and dry winters when they receive direct sunlight throughout their dormant periods. Any ideas of what I might try to get them to flower? Thank you!

Steve

isurus79 · #2 06-02-2009, 08:09 PM

Ive got three dowianas. The pics of the first one (1st three pics) are from an H&R plant and I got this one a three (?) years ago as a large seedling. Its in a 4"-4.5" basket so you can see the size. I got a sheath last summer that dried and has not done anything, but you can see a new sheath the is finishing up and I am expecting flowers this summer.

The second one Im showing you (the last 2 pics) is a var. Rosita in a 2.5" or 3" basket that already has a sheath so I could see flowers from it this summer, though I doubt it. Ive had it for atleast a year, maybe 2. You can also see that this guys in direct Hawaii sun at 1PM in June which is an indication of the preferred light levels. Both my plants have very light green leaves which is the color you are aiming for. I hope these pics help!!

smweaver · #3 06-02-2009, 08:28 PM

Thanks, Steve. Yes, your pictures help. That's a pretty big sheath, which is good to know since I (for some reason I can't remember) was under the impression that dowiana produced relatively small sheaths. The leaves on my two plants are actually just a bit lighter in color than those on your plants (a light granny apple smith color), and since I've acclimated them to handle the same light levels as a number of vanda species (tricolor, luzonica, merrillii, insignis, etc.), I think I'm doing okay as far as providing adequate light goes. Perhaps my plants are simply content to continue producing numerous growths for now--or maybe they're just lazy! I might move them a bit closer to the compost heap in the back yard to give them a little scare. Maybe if they feel that their time on earth is about to abruptly come to an end, they might flower out of desperation. :-)

Thanks for sharing your photos.

Steve

Phyrex · #4 06-02-2009, 09:22 PM

That's for the info Steve. I have one too but it grows pretty slow for me (only a single new growth at a time per 1/2 year). I don't give it enough light so I don't expect it to flower but it's good to see how others grow them. I was thinking of putting it in a basket and hanging it since the pot it is in in unstable because it grows in whichever direction it feels like when it puts out a new growth.

isurus79 · #5 06-02-2009, 10:50 PM

Steve,
If you dont have any sheaths, I would imagine your plant is too young. Wait to see what happens with your plants during this growing season. If they produce sheaths, they will be mature and you might see a bloom or two. If no sheaths, then dont give them a winter rest, just keep watering and keep the temps warm. All of my seedling dowianas keep growing through the winter with adequate water and temperatures. This might speed up your maturation cycle. Actually, this little bit of advice seems to work for all species of orchids. If they are not mature, I let 'em endure Hawaii's rainy season unprotected and they usually send out new growth. This only works with immature plants though!

Richard,
Glad I could help!

smweaver · #6 06-03-2009, 04:00 PM

Maybe the plants are too young, but I don't think that they really qualify as seedlings. That being said, however, I've never seen any other plants of dowiana first hand, so perhaps mine are too young to bloom. I'm posting a picture of each one of them, which I took earlier this afternoon. The tape measure at the bottom of each picture should give you an idea of their size. They're healthy plants, and each one's got an extensive root system. I think they're just being obstinate because they somehow realize that I've been anxiously awaiting some flowers.

isurus79 · #7 06-03-2009, 04:35 PM

Steve,
My guess is that each pot has more than one individual plant growing in it. The fact that you have 3 new leads in one of them supports that idea. Just by sheer number of p-bulbs, you should have a close to mature seedling, but if you have more than one plant you will probably not get blooms this year. Going by what my plants look like, I would bet that you will have at least 1 sheath from your plants this year, then maybe flowering next year or even this year if you are lucky!! You're getting there! Just a liiiiiitle more time!

BTW, who did you get your plants from? Just curious.

stitz · #8 06-03-2009, 05:55 PM

Steve,

For what it's worth.... I had difficulty with Cattleya dowiana . I discussed the culture with a very well-known proprietress of an orchid nursery from Colombia, the source of my plant. While this species is endemic to that country, I was informed that they have difficulty in flowering it! My plant had a quick, merciful death.

Of course, that doesn't mean that you can't do it! Best wishes for success!!

--Stitz--

smweaver · #9 06-04-2009, 05:15 PM

They had trouble flowering this species in Colombia?! Ug, I knew I should have stuck with phalaenopsis long ago... (kidding) Thanks, Stitz (I think :-).

Steve, I got the one plant (or group, if that's what it is) with the three leads from Exotic Orchids of Maui a number of years ago. The other plant (with two leads) came from Orchids Limited in Minnesota. I see that they (Orchids Ltd.) do have a dowiana listed on their site, but it's a variety rosita (which is what the plant from Maui is), and that's not what I got from them (the one I bought is no longer listed on Orchids Ltd.'s website). I might check out the plants from Tropical Orchid Farm and/or HR. I have bought from both of those nurseries before and really liked their plants. Thanks again for the feedback. If I ever get the courage to try and untangle the roots of the dowianas when they get repotted, just to see if I can detect how many plants might be in each pot, I'll let you know whether or not your hunch was right.

Steve

catwalker808 · #10 06-05-2009, 01:42 AM

Weaver's plants have several pbulbs, however, only 1 or 2 a mature ... the rest appear to be old juvenile canes. In contrast, Isurus plants have what look like older more mature pbulbs. Isurus plants look at about a season more mature, which is why they have sheaths. The old juvenile canes may be gone or the plants may have been split. So comparing the number of canes on weaver's & Isurus' plants may not be relevant
Both sets of plants look very healthy. Weaver's Indiana's spring, and consequently summer, come 2 months later than Isurus' Hawaii spring and summer. So weaver's plant may still sheath and bloom this summer. If not, certainly next summer.