C lueddemanniana var. tipo 'Hayde' AM/SVCN x 'Sian #2'

[Cheddarbob14]

I'd like to use this thread as kind of a documentary of sorts for 1 of my first blooming size cattleyas, similar to what rbarata's thread on repotting bifoliate catt turned into (Repotting my bifoliate catt). I found the thread to be insanely informative, especially with the time stamped photos throughout the cycle. Tips, comments, constructive criticisms always welcome. I really, really hope to grow this with success!!

A brief, but informative link on lueddemanniana

Cattleya Orchid Source: Cattleya lueddemanniana

Purchased on March 18 of this year, at the Ann Arbor Orchid Festival. Sorry I do not remember what vendor, smh, will add that in if I find the business card which I know is around here somewhere. There are a total of 11 mature pseudobulbs, there were 4 blooms when purchased.

I grow indoors, east facing bay window in the southeast corner of my house, a few hours of direct sun in the am, bright indirect light the rest of the day. Only time I put any of my orchids outside is for a flush during an am rain. Watered around once per week at 25ppm N with k-lite fertilizer. Once a month I add kelpmax and a probiotic (recently switched to Inocucor).

The photos are from the day of purchase

[Cheddarbob14]

I decided to repot on May 10, somewhat mistakenly because I thought I saw what I perceived to be new growths popping out. Someone please correct if I'm wrong on my terminology, what I thought were new growths were just "eyes" near the base of the plant? The plant was displaying the "stair stepping" habit right out of the pot in 2 locations. I decided to divide based on not having a pot big enough to allow it to grow in to, and it is allowing me to experiment with just a minor difference in how they are potted. Both are in repotme products, the imperial cattleya blend mix (medium orchiata monterey pine bark, large sponge rock, hydroton, medium stalite) and the dual pot setup, a smaller mesh basket inside a larger clear pot. The one difference in potting is the back bulbs pot has a total of 16 holes, 4 vertical on each side, big enough for a magic marker to be put through. I started spritzing the top of the medium each morning once I saw new roots emerge. The front bulb plant had roots emerge about a week ago, back bulb plant I just noticed last night popped a new root nub. There are currently 9 new root tips emerging from the base of the most recent, mature pbulb (was stepping out of old pot). Just the 1 on the back bulb plant, from what was the other point that the plant was stepping out of the old pot. First 2 pics are of front bulb plant in unmodified pot.

---------- Post added at 11:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 AM ----------

Front bulbs

[No-Pro-mwa]

Looks like it is starting to grow then. I have been trying to keep my big ones together but it is hard to find the right kind of pot. My big white one I am going to have to divide soon, as in yesterday. But it is not done yet.

That is a beautiful orchid bloom.

[Cheddarbob14]

Roots are exploding off of what was the most recent growth on the front bulb plant. Just found these 2 much deeper than i expected, about 4" long each. Back bulb division seems to be about a month behind in the root production but there are definitely new roots growing. No new growths to speak of on either

[Bohata]

On a newly repotted plant, new roots are the main factor in reestablishing, anyway.. So good growing anyhow.

[estación seca]

This didn't show up in the list of recent posts when you posted it. Now I see it.

You repotted at exactly the right time - the roots are just beginning. Longer and it would have been easier to break them. A few Cattleya species and hybrids grow new roots long after the new growth emerges. It is important to pay attention to the roots and not the shoots.

People here are such orchid twitchers somebody will probably be able to name the vendor if you show a photo of the name tag.

[Cheddarbob14]

This is a great informational source I just found. Apparently I just got lucky on the repotting, considering the last 2 sentences (best right after blooms are done, newest growth will start root growth then). Good call Estacion Seca!
Cattleya lueddemanniana

[Cheddarbob14]

Not much change, other than the continued production on a massive amount of roots for both divisions. Have a question about one though, 1 leaf looks as though it has a few issues. Brown spot right in the middle, some scarring to the right of the brown spot, couple dark spots closer to the tip, and the leaf as a whole, is a much lighter shade of green than the rest (almost yellowish). The bottom side seems to have no issues at all. I thought maybe I bruised or scarred it when repotting a while back, but that scarring looks as if it may be a critter. Keep in mind I am going through my 1st spider mite outbreak.......ever. The leaf being a lighter color has been that way for a while, but these other issues have more recently popped up. Any thoughts?

[estación seca]

Is that leaf on one of the older pseudobulbs?

Is the leaf still firm, or is it mushy and soft? When you press on it, does the leaf skin slide off, leaving a sticky wet wound behind?

[Cheddarbob14]

The leaf is just as firm as the others, nothing happens when rubbing or pressing the affected areas. It is definitely the leaf on the oldest pseudobulb of the plant.