Bifoliate catts - What grow first? Roots or pb?

[rbarata]

The title says it all.

Thanks

[WhiteRabbit]

New roots come on new growth - in some cases, the new growth may not be mature when it starts roots, others, the roots start to come in after the growth has matured. I can't recall which pattern my bifoliates may follow, nor if they are all the same that way - sorry.

[silken]

I don't know if all bifoliates are the same. I got a bare root C. violacea in Oct. It had a small new growth at the time an inch or two tall and no roots. Once I potted it, it did start growing roots and it seems both the roots and the growth have slowly developed over winter. Right now the new growth has recently opened both leaves and has 2 or 3 roots that are about 3 or 4 inches log.
I do know they are very fussy about when they get re-potted and should only be potted when new roots are started. Of course if you buy one bare root, you have no control. I have a C. aclandiae as well, and I think the pseudobulbs produce roots on it as it grows also.

[isurus79]

I would generally say bifoliates grow the bulb (at least partially) and then throw roots later on. Some send new roots after the growth is mature (amethystoglossa) and some throw roots as the new growth is maturing (violacea, walkeriana).

[rbarata]

I'm asking this because mine was repotted right when new roots start to show. In on month it grew three new thick roots approx. 5 cm long (2 in). Now there's a new one starting...but no pb.
BTW this is an autumn bloomer.

[estación seca]

Some of them do seem to form roots before pushing a growth, so I would expect yours to do that sometime this spring. Also I seem to recall you have a hybrid bifoliate, so it might not follow the exact program its parents did.

[silken]

Yes, hybrids can do different things. Some of mine grow bifoliate growths as well as unifoliate growths on the same plant.

[rbarata]

Also I seem to recall you have a hybrid bifoliate, so it might not follow the exact program its parents did.

Yes, you're right. It's an hybrid. The one with a dying bud. I think growing roots is a good sign. I've been leting it get some sun, from 10:00 to 12:00 but now that the heat is comming (we're having temps around 20ºC/68 F) I'm closing the curtains to avoid direct sunlight.

[estación seca]

Give it as much sun as possible without burning. I have Cattleya seedlings in a grow space in the upper 80s F / 30+C by day, and they get several hours of morning sun through 30% shade cloth hanging outside the window. They are not burning. Many are making nice purplish new growths, like the Cattleya leopoldii shown.

[isurus79]

Yep, 2 hours of morning sun is probably not even enough! These guys like it bright! And don't worry about temperatures being too hot until you break 90F (32C).