Question on first bloom Catts

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would give it a couple more chances to bloom. If you decide then that you still don't care for it, find it a new home (appears to be an attractive flower, sure to be wanted by an orchid beginner).

I do find that optimizing environmental factors, such as water, light, and plant nutrients, will produce better flowers. Flowers produced on the edge of acceptable conditions tend to be disappointing.

[silken]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

I would give it a couple more chances to bloom. If you decide then that you still don't care for it, find it a new home (appears to be an attractive flower, sure to be wanted by an orchid beginner).

I do find that optimizing environmental factors, such as water, light, and plant nutrients, will produce better flowers. Flowers produced on the edge of acceptable conditions tend to be disappointing.

I'll likely let it bloom once more and then if I still am not impressed, I will sell it in bloom so the buyer knows what they have. Or donate it to our yearly silent auction which happens while this is in bloom in April. So far this has been right on schedule same time each year! I guess it gets points for being reliable and prolific

[silken]

I did find a first to bloom picture of this plant on the SVO site. This is what Fred Clarke got. I can see where the streaks and blotchiness are coming from. Much better shape than on my first bloom.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Hay Silken did your Martha Clark X Tokyo Life from SVO bloom yet? I just went back and looked to see if it was you that posted a pic. But it wasn't but you did say you got one of these. I need to get a picture of mine that is now blooming for the second time. The color is way better this time. Flowers are smaller but a little better formed, at least to me. Not the same as the one that bloomed pink this one is sunset colors. I still think it is mostly my fault they are not even better as both of mine the leaf was getting stuck in the stuff it grows out of. I had to split both of them and so I am thinking more humidity or more water.

I have several from them as well. Did any one else get any of the Blc Brassy Gold? I got 2 of them but so far neither has bloomed for me. They are growing but no bloom.

[silken]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Hay Silken did your Martha Clark X Tokyo Life from SVO bloom yet? I just went back and looked to see if it was you that posted a pic. But it wasn't but you did say you got one of these. I need to get a picture of mine that is now blooming for the second time. The color is way better this time. Flowers are smaller but a little better formed, at least to me. Not the same as the one that bloomed pink this one is sunset colors. I still think it is mostly my fault they are not even better as both of mine the leaf was getting stuck in the stuff it grows out of. I had to split both of them and so I am thinking more humidity or more water.

I have several from them as well. Did any one else get any of the Blc Brassy Gold? I got 2 of them but so far neither has bloomed for me. They are growing but no bloom.

Hi Shannon. No, my Martha Clarke x Tokyo Life still hasn't bloomed. I got it and several others when I got the one in this thread. I didn't get a Brassy Gold.

Another bloom on this Petite Song opened and oddly enough it is different than the two that are already open at the moment! I will post some pics here in the next day or whenever I get a chance. It doesn't know what it wants to be

[silken]

Here are pics of the current blooms. The first picture is of 2 blooms that opened a few days ago. The front one is deformed and the one behind is crowded out and the 2 petals seem to be raised upward rather than spread out on each side.

The 2nd picture is one that opened this morning. Somewhat smaller than the other 2 but nicer shape. The petals look brownish but in real life they don't really. This has decent shape but the colour is so blah.

The 3rd picture is of how the new growth has a bud growth coming out of it rather than the usual spike out of the top of the pseudobulb. Just seems weird and it bloomed from a spike normally last year.

I might let this bloom once more since it is changing even in the same bloom period from one bud to another. But I am not impressed with it.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I guess they can't all turn out.

[silken]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

I guess they can't all turn out.

You're right! This one is just pretty homely in my eyes

[lotis146]

Poor little guy! That's too bad the flowers are a little defunct, but it does seem impressive how consistent it is and how many flowers you're getting now. Maybe sticking with it another cycle is the way the to go. What fertilizer do you use? Maybe it wants something more delicious!

I didn't get a Brassy either but I've got half a dozen minis (killed the other half ).

[silken]

Originally Posted by lotis146

Poor little guy! That's too bad the flowers are a little defunct, but it does seem impressive how consistent it is and how many flowers you're getting now. Maybe sticking with it another cycle is the way the to go. What fertilizer do you use? Maybe it wants something more delicious!

I didn't get a Brassy either but I've got half a dozen minis (killed the other half ).

I will likely give it till the next bloom season. And there are a few more buds coming from this flush so who knows what I will get!

I have been mostly using MSU with Cal/Mag added and sometimes some seaweed added. So I think it is feeding quite well. I also throw in various other types of ferts occasionally just for a change. Like Plant Prod, Miracle Grow or Dynagro.

Oh well, they can't all be beauties!