I'm very frustrated with C. walkeriana - Orchid Board

tucker85 · #1 10-15-2012, 11:14 AM

I have two C. walkeriana. They grow very well and form buds 3 times a year. But they almost never bloom. The buds always rot and fail to produce a flower. After 2 years and 6 different sets of buds, I finally got one flower on one of my walkerianas. This time it had 4 buds and only one bloomed. I don't know if it's too hot down here, or if the frequent rains cause a problem. In any case I think I may give it away to a friend of mine who wants to try his hand at it.

RosieC · #2 10-15-2012, 11:29 AM

Pretty!

I can't help on the problem though. I've not got very far with Catts at all so far. Hope someone can help advise.

isurus79 · #3 10-15-2012, 11:39 AM

That definitely sounds very frustrating. I know that when these guys bloom in nature, they are typically in a drier part of the year. Do you keep them wet when spiking? Higher than normal air movement during this part of the year might be able to make up excess wetness or humidity too.

gnathaniel · #4 10-15-2012, 11:51 AM

I feel your frustration, that's a gorgeous Cattleya! I have a coerulea form of walkeriana that's not yet bloomed, and when I got it I was told (not sure if correctly) to grow it fairly dry, so maybe it is your moisture/humidity that's the problem? I also find that strong air movement helps prevent problems when I'm keeping things wetter than they otherwise prefer, but I've always grown in cooler and less humid climates than FL. Aside from that, I'd guess boosting Ca+Mg might help, but I bet you supplement those already and as indicated I have very little experience with walkeriana...

Picotee · #5 10-15-2012, 02:20 PM

Tucker, I share your frustration with C walkeriana. I have had two for years, both mounted on cork. Neither has ever so much as budded. I keep them hoping that one fine day one of them may take pity on me and bloom. Their fragrance is worth the wait. Congrats on getting yours to bloom!

magicatt · #6 10-15-2012, 05:18 PM

Maybe if you have a carport, you could hang it under the roof and water it when YOU want it to have water. Maybe inside in front of a window. I would try everything before giving up on it. It sure is a pretty flower!

Bud · #7 10-15-2012, 06:09 PM

The roots and leaves of your plant is healthy ....the plant is thriving well.
The buds will blast if it experience sudden change in temperature and humidity....its best not changed its position while in bud and not to apply to the buds and flowers strong water pressure....wind and rain can also bruise the buds
I am with Stephanie when she adviced on indoor care first than giving it away....you managed a single beautiful flower....why stop now? The joy of orchid growing is the rebloom of the plant many times over

bethmarie · #8 10-15-2012, 08:07 PM

I'd be frustrated too, but it sure is beautiful, tucker.

CR7cristiano · #9 10-16-2012, 12:42 AM

Hey tucker.....this is a relatively simple fix. Looking at the orchid itself, it looks in good health. But also I don't think you told us what sort of light it is getting? Filtered, indirect sunlight, or partial direct sunlight. I also would love some more info on your feeding regimen. That could be the key to bud loss; that and the times of day you water. I think if you have a nice big window you should set it there. Florida night during the fall and winter months drop pretty dramatically in contrast to the days. Fertilizing should also reduce when in spike, and lastly start doing an epsom salt watering once a week to give it extra vigor. I recommend watering/feeding in the mornings between 8-10am and if a really hot day...again between 4-5pm. It seems to me for now try to avoid evening watering though. All that said, I really believe a big windowsill that lets in a lot of bright light is a great alternative; so long as it can get some decent air movement.
I wouldn't give it away just yet!

smweaver · #10 10-16-2012, 09:58 AM

The coerulea varieties are, in my experience, easy to bloom, and don't require nearly as much precise fall/winter control of shortened days, restriction of water, etc (and they're not picky about extremes in temperatures, handling everything from warm-to-hot days and cool nights with ease). The standard pink-flowered varieties are what give me headaches. I too have several of them and although they grow great (vigorous, weed-like growth habit actually--which I mean as a compliment) the lousy things refuse to bloom. I'm seriously thinking of walking the lot of them across the street and feeding them to my neighbor's llamas.