Cattleya Spike or Bulb? - Orchid Board

Matthews · #1 04-11-2007, 02:00 PM

I always thought that it was bulb because the plant looks to small to bloom. Over the last few weeks, I started to question if it was really a bulb. It has nodes on it (if you can see them in the blurry picture).

The plant is called Blc. Adeline Ghiz 'Worcester's Pride'.

Here's the question: Bulb or Spike?

Thanks!

Ghazanfar Ghori · #2 04-11-2007, 02:13 PM

I'm not exactly sure what you're refering to but in both
pictures I see new growth - leaf/bulb.

Oscarman · #3 04-11-2007, 02:23 PM

That is a new lead developing on your Cattleya. The tip of the new leaf is sticking out at the top. As it elongates and expands the pseudobulb will swell, with new roots emerging at the base at some point in time.

Matthews · #4 04-11-2007, 02:25 PM

I hope this clears things up:

Matthews · #5 04-11-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscarman

That is a new lead developing on your Cattleya. The tip of the new leaf is sticking out at the top. As it elongates and expands the pseudobulb will swell, with new roots emerging at the base at some point in time.

So does this 'lead' turn into a new plant, like a keiki type thing? Or is it another bulb? Thanks!

Ross · #6 04-11-2007, 02:31 PM

It's this years new bulb (actually pseudobulb) and will result (hopefully) in a new spike (after it matures) coming from center of this growth.

Tindomul · #7 04-11-2007, 03:42 PM

Yup. the flowers on these types of orchids only come out from the center of the leaf, not the base of the plant. Good luck with this! My hybrid Catts (2 of them) at home grew three new leaves (each) this year, and non have produced any blooms. Instead the plant went ahead and is now making new pseudobulbs/leaves. I think perhaps they did not get enough light, so I moved them closer to the window.

Matthews · #8 04-11-2007, 03:53 PM

I just put this plant under 3 fluorescent lights, that should be enought light.

Thanks for all the help!

smartie2000 · #9 04-11-2007, 04:59 PM

It is a new growth. A pesudobulb and leaf will develop. Spikes are located inside a sheath in between the leaves

smartie2000 · #10 04-11-2007, 05:03 PM

You may want to increase light levels a little more because the leaves look dark. And based on the picture I see that you are growing it with phals. These can take much more than a phal (I do realize your phal is getting high light since it is tinged with red).
I would put the light closer to the plant to increase foot candles and have it in the centre of the fixture. How far away from the fixture is it? I have plants that nearly touch the tubes