My cattleya WON"T open.. Is it dead??
 

http://onfinite.com/libraries/1519175/409.jpghttp://onfinite.com/libraries/1519176/1d9.jpgMy catt. has been at this stage for several days.
It looks dead from the outside. Did I kill it? Or what is wrong??? I hope it will open.
Thank you for helping

The plant itself isn't dead.

The buds are.

If you purchased the plant in this condition, then it's no fault of yours.

But if the sheath was green while under your care, and it dried out, then it may be cultural or it could be a first blooming attempt that blasted.

You have to explain your cultural conditions in order for us to know what kind of recommendations can be given for you to make adjustments.

Yeah it looks like it was maybe cooked in there!!

I have it on a screen porch... It's in the morning sun.
Should I cut it off??
Thank you

I have others in the same area, & one of them just bloomed. I don't know what I did. I thought they liked morning sun......

Things happen. It may or may not be anything you did. But do watch out to see what you can do better.

Only thing I can suggest.

Your photo looks like the bud is black and rotted but photos can be deceiving.

If it is the bud will fall off soon and you will be sure. Fortunately the type of rot that effects a blasted bud does not spread to the plant and is not a danger.

Usually these types fall off in a few days.

It is hard to judge the size of the full plant, but it looks young and bud failure the first blooming season is very common and usually not because of anything you did.

The first rule in orchids is 'patience'. More flowers are coming.

Many dried sheaths suprise us and send up buds. From the picture it's hard to tell if the bud in that sheath is dead. Don't cut anything. As Jerry says, wait until the bud falls off so that you can be sure.

The buds in the sheath are definately done. Maybe water was sitting inside the sheath and then rotted out the buds.
I see you are in the U.S. ....north, south, east or west. Orchids can have full sun up to 11am.
Judging from your picture, it looks like water sat inside the sheath causing the buds to rot.

Happy Growing!

Let it be. I've had this happen to me on some of my "catts" with no logical explanation. Actually last year I left the "dried sheath" on and 6 months later it bloomed.