Cattleya Jongheana pseudo bulb sheath yellowing

[sweta]

Hello Orchid Pals,

I need some help with this cattleya that I purchased about 9 months ago at a garden festival in seattle. The plant was in spike when I purchased it. After it bloomed and the blooms fell off I repotted it since then it grew 2 new pseudo bulbs and I did see lot of happy sap on those 2 pseudo bulbs initially but now I see that one of the pseudo bulb sheath is yellowing. I repotted it in pine bark, watering schedule is once a week and fertilized once in 2 weeks. I used tap water during the summer months for watering but otherwise I use rain water mixed with tap water. Home environment is pretty dry and I'm growing it under grow light so its gets plenty of light. I'm not sure what I can do to help this plant thrive.

[Roberta]

I think that the changes in the sheaths around the pseudobulbs are normal. They will eventually dry up and turn papery, like the sheaths around the pseudobulbs of other Catts, as the pseudobulbs mature. The buds will emerge as the leaves mature and open - no sheath. Spring is bloom time for this species.

[Johndeaux22]

The sheaths around the pseudobulbs look fine to me. However the plant looks dehydrated. I would water a bit more frequently, and look into setting up a humidity tray. Often times bark won’t hold on to much water once it’s completely dry, and it takes some doing to get it back. Perhaps water every five days instead of seven.

[sweta]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I think that the changes in the sheaths around the pseudobulbs are normal. They will eventually dry up and turn papery, like the sheaths around the pseudobulbs of other Catts, as the pseudobulbs mature. The buds will emerge as the leaves mature and open - no sheath. Spring is bloom time for this species.

Thank you Roberta, so relieved to know that its normal😊

---------- Post added at 11:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Johndeaux22

The sheaths around the pseudonyms look fine to me. However the plant looks dehydrated. I would water a bit more frequently, and look into setting up a humidity tray. Often times bark won’t hold on to much water once it’s completely dry, and it takes some doing to get it back. Perhaps water every five days instead of seven.

Thanks John for your response. You are right rhat the plant looks dehydrated. But trust me when I water the media takes a long time to dry out specially when its kept inside an outer pot. I heard that catts need to dry out fully before watering again thats why removed the outer decorative pot so it can dry out quickly. I will look into the option of increasing humidity.

[Roberta]

I have found C. jongheana to really hate pots. So the drying is very important for these. I grow them mounted, or in baskets with little medium (since they tend to climb off mounts in several directions). Humidity is moderate (I grow them outside, something that most people can't do in winter) Once the weather warms up a little in the spring (no frost), your plant will benefit from being outside. It also likes to be on the cool side.

The roots on the older growths may be bad which would lead to shriveling. IF the new growths look good, I wouldn't worry. But you may want to increase air movement, and also put where it can stay a little cooler, like near a window.

[sweta]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I have found C. jongheana to really hate pots. So the drying is very important for these. I grow them mounted, or in baskets with little medium (since they tend to climb off mounts in several directions). Humidity is moderate (I grow them outside, something that most people can't do in winter) Once the weather warms up a little in the spring (no frost), your plant will benefit from being outside. It also likes to be on the cool side.

The roots on the older growths may be bad which would lead to shriveling. IF the new growths look good, I wouldn't worry. But you may want to increase air movement, and also put where it can stay a little cooler, like near a window.

hmm...mounting may not work very well in my house because the air is pretty dry. I will look into the option of having it grow in a hanging basket with few large chunks of bark. But information is very helpful. It definitely didnt seem like being in the small pot. When I bought it it came grown in a small pot that is why I repotted it in a small pot. also good to know that it needs to be on the cooler side. i thought it was supposed to be grown in warmer conditions and so removed it from the window sill. will put it back there.

[Roberta]

Definitely it would appreciate some cooling. It's habitat is central Minas Gerais state in Brazil (somewhat southern), elevation 1300-1600 m. (From IOSPE) So relatively high elevation, and far from the equator. IOSPE says "warm to cool", it certainly will tolerate warm summer temperatures, but certainly experiences some cooling in winter.

---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 AM ----------

If my C. jongheana plants are any indication, this is probably a good time to make adjustments in its potting - I'm seeing new root growth right now.

[sweta]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Definitely it would appreciate some cooling. It's habitat is central Minas Gerais state in Brazil (somewhat southern), elevation 1300-1600 m. (From IOSPE) So relatively high elevation, and far from the equator. IOSPE says "warm to cool", it certainly will tolerate warm summer temperatures, but certainly experiences some cooling in winter.

---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 AM ----------

If my C. jongheana plants are any indication, this is probably a good time to make adjustments in its potting - I'm seeing new root growth right now.

Do you see a new root growth in the pictures? I will do the repotting into basket right away.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by sweta

Do you see a new root growth in the pictures? I will do the repotting into basket right away.

The new growth is down in the pot so I can't see what's going on in the pictures. (roots come from the base of new pseudobulbs) But I think that this is the time. Bet when you pull it out (gently) you'll see signs of action. This species also tends to be a climber. Once it gets going, new growth will tend to climb upwards. Which is fine. If in a basket, roots will reach down to the medium.

[sweta]

Sounds good thank you!