Cattleya maxima strange growth

[Orquiadicto]

Weird

[No-Pro-mwa]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

Quite a few of my Catts have sheaths, but when you hold them up to light, it looks like a new leaf in there instead of buds.

I have a few as well but I am not sure how many if any have any buds in there. I have one cross that last time came out with a sheath then a sheath inside with the buds inside second sheath.

---------- Post added at 12:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Brooke

If you grow a large number of Catts, you will eventually have one or two. I've had Catts with multiple leads have a sheath but the next growth over will send out a spike with no sheath.

I think Catts have a sense of humor.

Brooke

Well how strange. I hope they do I will be awaiting my non sheathed buds.

[Brooke]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

Quite a few of my Catts have sheaths, but when you hold them up to light, it looks like a new leaf in there instead of buds.

There are a couple of species that produce two sheaths, one inside the other, before they produce a spike. Some hybrids down from these species will do the same thing.

Sitting here I can't remember which ones do it but I'll check tonight when I close up the g/h.

Brooke

[gngrhill]

thanks for that info, Brooke

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Brooke

There are a couple of species that produce two sheaths, one inside the other, before they produce a spike. Some hybrids down from these species will do the same thing.

Sitting here I can't remember which ones do it but I'll check tonight when I close up the g/h.

Brooke

Maxima is a double-sheather, when it grows one.

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

Actually maximas has one sheath. Double sheaths are labiata, sometimes warneri and jenmanii, based on my experience and literature. I'm sure there will be the occasional species that will double sheath once a lifetime.


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[Brooke]

Both Steve and Canada are correct. When making a list of what Catts are showing double sheaths today I have one maxima, the lowland variety, with a double sheath. My currently blooming maxima, the highland type, does not have double sheaths.

I found one labiata with a double sheath but another one does not because I can see the buds in there.

I also have three hybrids showing double sheaths - C. xGuatemalensis, a natural hybrid between skinneri and auriantiaca. C. Clarissa a primary between mendelii x warneri and C. Sapphire which isn't a primary hybrid.

Brooke

[Ray]

Personally, I suspect that the "sheath versus none" discussion is moot, and that plant is not preparing to bloom at all.

Over the years, I have seen "cattleya-types" - especially encyclias - do that. Newer growths may- or may not have bloomed or will, and that's nothing more than some vestigial tissue that temporarily reawakened.

I could be (and hope I am-) wrong.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by NeofinetiaCanada2014

Actually maximas has one sheath. Double sheaths are labiata, sometimes warneri and jenmanii, based on my experience and literature. I'm sure there will be the occasional species that will double sheath once a lifetime.


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No, maxima is generally considered to have a double sheath.

[Brooke]

Originally Posted by Ray

Personally, I suspect that the "sheath versus none" discussion is moot, and that plant is not preparing to bloom at all.

Over the years, I have seen "cattleya-types" - especially encyclias - do that. Newer growths may- or may not have bloomed or will, and that's nothing more than some vestigial tissue that temporarily reawakened.

I could be (and hope I am-) wrong.

I don't understand your comment of "sheath versus none". Are you saying the original post doesn't show buds?

I only grow a couple of Encyclias and don't really have an opinion on them. I do grow over 100 Catts, mainly species with quite a few primary hybrids and a couple of heavily hybridized Catts. It is not that unusual for buds to appear and then bloom without a sheath. Recently I had one Catt bloom without a sheath and another growth bloom from the sheath.

BTW I did find my third labiata today and it does have a double sheath.

Brooke