Need Help / Bloom is messed up!

[landanew]

I was given this little plant from Orchids Limited. (Pot. Ryo-Iwata x San Diego Sunset) x Pot. Rubescence 'Sunset Valley Orchids' AM/AOS. The first picture was taken a couple of days ago, the next three I got just a few min. ago. The bloom just opened up. I am a newbie to begin with and this is my first time with Cat. I have always been afraid of them.

[Cavs n' Orchids]

I would contact the vendor and show them the pic. It might get better in later blooming, but the vendor may exchange it or at least offer advice.

[landanew]

I have had it for over a year. It has been, at least to me, healthy and was doing everything it should up until the bloom. It has grown and spiked and bloomed. The bloom just looks sick. I am looking for what happened or what should I do differently.

[Cavs n' Orchids]

If the plant has been healthy and growing fine, then the bloom could be naturally deformed, or just a poor quality flower, which happens occasionally with seed crosses. I dont think its anything you have done or can correct.

---------- Post added at 03:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:53 PM ----------

The plant in the pic looks healthy. I would give the bloom a few more weeks to see if it straightens out. If it is a first blooming for the whole plant, seedling blooms usually arent a good indication of what they will look like in a few years. They dont have alot of strength when they are still babies, and it is reflected in their flowers, but as they age their flower quality gets better.

[landanew]

Originally Posted by Cavs n' Orchids

If the plant has been healthy and growing fine, then the bloom could be naturally deformed, or just a poor quality flower, which happens occasionally with seed crosses. I dont think its anything you have done or can correct.

---------- Post added at 03:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:53 PM ----------

The plant in the pic looks healthy. I would give the bloom a few more weeks to see if it straightens out. If it is a first blooming for the whole plant, seedling blooms usually arent a good indication of what they will look like in a few years. They dont have alot of strength when they are still babies, and it is reflected in their flowers, but as they age their flower quality gets better.

Ok, that sounds good. I assume that this is a first time for it to bloom. The vendor messed up the order and in getting it corrected he gave me this little guy as a peace offering. Which was great, because I was ok with him just getting the order correct, the plant was a bonus. I have been happy with it and felt that it was doing fine. To tell you the truth I was really looking forward to seeing the bloom since this was my first go at this type of orchid. I was feeling pretty proud that it put out a spike and then a bloom. So, you can imagine the feeling when I saw the flower looking like that!

[Cavs n' Orchids]

I know exactly what you mean! Congrats anyways on blooming your first cattleya! I was nervous about them at first too, and didnt really get into them until just a few years ago, when I flowered my first and quickly became obsessed!

[Zoi2]

Congrats on blooming your catt.
I have one that bloomed a bit ugly too, it's a first bloom for the plant and am hoping it will straighten out. I had a humidity problem and wasn't even sure the bud would open.
Joann

[Merlyn]

I didn't see any old sheaths on it so it is the first bloom for your plant.

[landanew]

Originally Posted by Zoi2

Congrats on blooming your catt.
I have one that bloomed a bit ugly too, it's a first bloom for the plant and am hoping it will straighten out. I had a humidity problem and wasn't even sure the bud would open.
Joann

Please let me know how yours turns out. And if you figure anything out.

---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Merlyn

I didn't see any old sheaths on it so it is the first bloom for your plant.

I got it over a year ago and I could not see anything that looked like it had bloomed before. So, I assume that this is its first bloom.

---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:39 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Merlyn

I didn't see any old sheaths on it so it is the first bloom for your plant.

Is it normal for a Cats. first bloom to suck?

[Zoi2]

Here is a picture from yesterday, when it opened.
See the curled petals....I am hoping they fix themselves but there is always next year.
Joann