Cattleya flowers do not fully open

[Juno0327]

Hi,

I have a beautiful cattleya and I've been looking forward for it to bloom. Finally it got 2 spikes and two flowers, but the flowers don't fully open it's been at least 2 weeks and nothing changed.
I have about 40 orchids, different species, and never had this issue before.

I'd really appreciate your help if you know what might be causing it.

The picture is attached.

Thank you
Julia

[silken]

It almost looks like it is trapped within its sheath. Is that a green sheath surrounding the flower? If so, you could carefully slit it down 2 sides and then the flower should be free. Usually the buds grow on a longer stem before they open.

[RJSquirrel]

stuck in the sheath.cut it open with a fresh razor and it opens maybe if you caught it in time. its okey to cut them open, people do it all the time. Its help your plant can use

[Juno0327]

Thank you so much! I cut the sheath open. The stems were long, but couldn't unfold because they were trapped. I wish I found this forum earlier.

I have two beautiful flowers.

[NYCorchidman]

Beautiful! Is it Toshie Aoki??

Next time when you see buds developing inside the sheath and they do not come out as they should, then you can cut open (little bit, not all the way as doing so many cause flower stem breakage) and prevent this from happening again.

[Juno0327]

It is Toshie Aoki

Of course I cut the sheath all the way, stupid me, and then noticed that the stem was folded and not strong enough to hold the flower, so I taped it. Or well... Will know what to do in future.

I got this orchid and a few others on Oahu last year at Kawamoto nursery. They also sell orchids online on eBay. Very good nursery, beautiful orchids.

Thank you again for your help.

[NYCorchidman]

I was in Oahu last fall and visited Kawamoto as well. had no idea they were located up on the hill deep and far away from the beach. I took a bike. my legs never felt the same after that visit lol

I plan to visit Hawaii later this year again and this time I will rent a car and ship all the orchids instead of carrying myself, which almost destroyed all the blooms. lol

I have bought from them online as well.

Best luck with your Toshie Aoki

[Juno0327]

Yes, kawamoto's is not easy to find. I bought a dozen orchids that day and had to get them shipped. They arrived in perfect condition and it was in January. None got frost bite.

Thanks!
Julia

[NYCorchidman]

They do super job packing plants.
I hope to buy many dendrobiums this comping visit as they had so many beautiful ones last time and they were so cheap!

[Juno0327]

Yes . Found these pictures on my phone which I took at kawamotos





I bought these... Gorgeous blush color