Cattleya Aclandiae - Orchid Board

brianwstephens · #1 08-22-2013, 07:47 PM

Hi, I recently purchased a Cattleya Aclandiae from a local arboretum society. One of the leaves had some small purple blotches, but since bringing it home the blotches have spread. I just wanted to see whether or not this is something to worry about? Other than that, the plant is very healthy and is growing well.

Leafmite · #2 08-22-2013, 09:57 PM

My aclandiae is very spotted, if that helps. Red/purple/black spots are completely normal for these. I don't know how yours was grown but the red patch is likely not too horrible with this cattleya. Cold weather/high light tend to bring out red coloring, as does phosphate or magnesium deficiency. Hopefully others will chime in. Unlike mine, still a few years from blooming, yours appears to have bloomed and you will likely see blooms again, soon, as these bloom twice a year (on each new growth). These do really well mounted or in a fast-draining medium (prone to root rot). Good luck!

brianwstephens · #3 08-22-2013, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

My aclandiae is very spotted, if that helps. Red/purple/black spots are completely normal for these. I don't know how yours was grown but the red patch is likely not too horrible with this cattleya. Cold weather/high light tend to bring out red coloring, as does phosphate or magnesium deficiency. Hopefully others will chime in. Unlike mine, still a few years from blooming, yours appears to have bloomed and you will likely see blooms again, soon, as these bloom twice a year (on each new growth). These do really well mounted or in a fast-draining medium (prone to root rot). Good luck!

Ooh thats great! So the old pseudobulbs rebloom? I totally want to mount it but the newest growth will be mature soon and I'm hoping that it will bloom.

Leafmite · #4 08-23-2013, 12:32 AM

Just one bloom per growth but it sends out new growths twice a year.

RJSquirrel · #5 08-28-2013, 08:05 AM

The purple splotches you see is Anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is very unstable and is not contained within a cell wall and spreads thru the plant tissue when its produced. High light does this and this plant needs high light to bloom. High light and drying out between watering. Dont cover up any of the roots with anything. It wont like that at all. They like to crawl out of the pot and thats fine.
No they wont bloom from old bulbs. When the new growth pops up if it doesnt have a sheath you probably arent going to get a bloom on that one either. I cant tell you enough how much intense light these need for flowering and I myself find them somewhat aggravating to bloom.

brianwstephens · #6 08-28-2013, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

The purple splotches you see is Anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is very unstable and is not contained within a cell wall and spreads thru the plant tissue when its produced. High light does this and this plant needs high light to bloom. High light and drying out between watering. Dont cover up any of the roots with anything. It wont like that at all. They like to crawl out of the pot and thats fine.
No they wont bloom from old bulbs. When the new growth pops up if it doesnt have a sheath you probably arent going to get a bloom on that one either. I cant tell you enough how much intense light these need for flowering and I myself find them somewhat aggravating to bloom.

Ooh great okay! Thanks for the info!!
I keep my orchids at my house on the SF Peninsula rather than in SF itself mostly because of the better weather, and it's been so nice out in Burlingame that I've been leaving this one outside in pretty much direct sun all day. It seems to be happy, it's growing fast and there is a lot of sticky sap coming out from the new shoot

Gthumbz89 · #7 08-28-2013, 08:24 PM

I know it has been said before but those purple spots are likely to be "plant Freckles". I have a laelia pumila hybrid that is especially prone to freckling because as far as cattleyas go they don't need much light. Of course, It never hurts when growing in high humidity to use a fungicide just in case. Fungus is usually black instead of purple though.

brianwstephens · #8 08-28-2013, 08:51 PM

The new growth is actually about to bloom! The bud was hidden away inside of the shoot which actually hasn't fully opened yet. Sooo excited!

Does anybody know whether or not this will have a scent?

RJSquirrel · #9 08-28-2013, 09:01 PM

oh yes they smell wonderful and intoxicating

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Ohh you got a nice bud!!!

Cactuseed · #10 08-28-2013, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

The purple splotches you see is Anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is very unstable and is not contained within a cell wall and spreads thru the plant tissue when its produced. High light does this and this plant needs high light to bloom.

Squirrel i have noticed this on some plants when i first take them outside at the begining of summer. I always thought it was some fungus that was lingering and waiting for an opportunity to 'bloom'. It never spreads to the new growth. hmmm

btw i shoot squirrels. they eat my tomatos. i have a nitrogen piston air rifle for them