Twisted leaves

[Celtic100]

For as long as I've been growing orchids, my cattleyas seem to have a problem with their leaves. Pls note in the picture I have attached a leaf that is twisted and there are others on that plant that don't show up in the photo. Is this due to a watering issue? Have others seen this on their plants? Any thoughts?

[isurus79]

Do you ever move the position of the plants?

[Celtic100]

Do you ever move the position of the plants? As in turn the pot in present location OR move the pot to a new location (position). I do the latter a lot as that is where the sun is but it is my kitchen counter where I have space for cooking but not for long term orchid residents. So if that is the issue, I guess I'll have to live with twisted leaves. Thanks very much.

[isurus79]

Ya, that is my guess. The leaves will follow the sun as they are growing and harden that way when they get older.

It looks pretty healthy otherwise.

[euplusia]

Young leaves not opening the right way and growing twisted can be caused by a lack of water.
In your case it looks as if you moved a growing plant. Maybe its also the sun itself who changes their way a lot in springtime and autumn far up north.
It can also be a genetic feature.

[Celtic100]

I always move my plants into the sunnier areas of my house - so far, this catt is the only one to twist its leaves. Maybe it is genetic as was pointed out. Thanks again for input.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by euplusia

Young leaves not opening the right way and growing twisted can be caused by a lack of water.
In your case it looks as if you moved a growing plant. Maybe its also the sun itself who changes their way a lot in springtime and autumn far up north.
It can also be a genetic feature.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess it was both of these. A combination of lack of water and of moving the plant. I say lack of water because if you look at the pseudobulbs in the photo, most of them look a little wrinkly. Overall it looks pretty healthy though! Love those flowers!

[BettyE]

Not to worry...The plant is healthy, & the flowers beautiful! BettyE

[Wynn Dee13]

I have Catts that do that and it can be genetics. Especially in hybrids. If that is your only plant growing that way I say it is just the way that plant grows. I have one particular mini Catt that grows twisted leaves on all growths. It grows next to other mini Catts getting same light and water so I know that plant is just genetically made to grow that way. Good luck and I wouldn't worry about it.

[james mickelso]

Catts have twisted leaves. Some twist as a result of trying to grow out of the shadow of the other leaves. And there is no reason that the leaves would grow nice and flat regardless of how you position them in the light. All leaves grow in all manner of orientations. Normal. Wrinkling pbulbs? Once the pbulbs mature they start feeding the newest growths. The newest growths take their energy from the older pbulbs as the newest pbulbs don't have roots until they are halfway to nearing maturity depending on the species or hybrid. Keep an eye on the newest growths and you will see that they don't grow roots until quite grown. The wrinkling is normal. In absolutely perfect conditions the maturted pbulbs can be kept plump for awhile but the will eventually start to wrinkle.