Cattleya (?) w/Twisted Leaves

[Alsani]

Unfortunately, the yellow highlights on the throat and the base of the petals, don't come out as good as I would have liked. However, I am particularly intrigued by the leaves as they are all twisted or spiralled. Could that be due to my (haphazard) care or is it natural?

Any ideas on ID and/or heritage would be greatly appreciated.

[WhiteRabbit]

Nice!

I don't know about the leaves. Do you turn the pot?

[Alsani]

No, the pot tends to stay in the same position. It is against a backyard wall with no direct sunlight but plenty of bright shade (sun reflects off the back of the house, only 12ft away, directly onto the growing area).

Also, the leaves are very stiff, hard and fairly thick. Even the newest leaves are twisted, and they had a little more controlled care, also without rotating the pot.

[PaphMadMan]

Some Catt hybrids tend to do this to some extent no matter what. It seems to be prevalent in descendants of Cattleya/Sophronitis coccinea, along with the rather sprawling habit your plant also shows. But I would expect to see it most when light is low and watering is irregular.

[Alsani]

Very interesting MadMan. Thanks. Your comments regarding light and watering could be an accurate description of the current care. I did try to increase the lighting last fall, but did it too quickly, and blasted some blooms, so I am hesitant about trying again.

Also glad you noted the sprawling growth, something I also wondered about. Any thoughts on whether it is better to let the pbulbs grow where they will, or is it common to stake them up or contain them?

Appreciate the input.

[tucker85]

I think the twisted leaves are just a result of the plants DNA. I wouldn't worry about it. Your orchid looks pretty healthy to me.

[isurus79]

Some years ago I had a complex hybrid Catt that show similar growth habits. Someone mentioned to me the same thing that PaphMadMan said so I changed the conditions and the growths straightened out quite a bit, though not completely.

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by Alsani

Also glad you noted the sprawling growth, something I also wondered about. Any thoughts on whether it is better to let the pbulbs grow where they will, or is it common to stake them up or contain them?

Appreciate the input.

Purely personal preference. If space is an issue with sprawling Catts you can try to control it, but it may not give a natural or attractive appearance, and there is some chance of damaging new growths if you aren't careful.

[Alsani]

Originally Posted by tucker85

I think the twisted leaves are just a result of the plants DNA. I wouldn't worry about it. Your orchid looks pretty healthy to me.

Thanks for the encouragement tucker, I am fairly happy with the way the plant is growing. Even has another sheath forming! Haven't been able to document how regular it blooms but I have had several blooms, at different times, within the past 5-6 months. In emphasizing the twisted leaves I was trying (hoping) to provide enough info to help in identifying it or its' parents.

Based on everyone's comments and isurus' experience, I will try to provide some more light and water to see if that helps. Will also probably leave the plant as is without staking--no sense in messing with it too much!

Thanks again to everyone for their comments.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I have a C. Orglade's Blaze whose leaves tend to do the twist. It is also a sprawling plant, not upright. So, I am thinking it is a DNA issue.