Cattleya/Oncidium...What does it mean if they are in sheath?
 

Hey there,
As I've only had Phals, I'm even newer to the looks/care of Cattleyas and Oncidiums.....I was looking at my new chids and noticed some had some growth on them...I was advised that some of them may bloom soon because they are in sheath (not sure what that means)...anyways, I'm not sure what it is that I am supposed to be looking for, but I did note a couple of things growing...do these types have a flowering spike similar to the Phals? (Really really sorry if this is a dumb question) The plant pictured is Blc. Sanyung Ruby 'Kuang Lung' AM AOS

Thanks!!

Looks like a flower sheath, but unfortunatly, it looks dead to me. Should be green, not brown. Oncidiums don't do this. They send up spikes from inside the outermost leaf next to the pseoudobulb. Can sometimes sen up more than one spike from same pseoudobulb. Cat's send up one sheath which contains a spike (if all is well). If is "blasts" (dies prematurely) then it quits growing larger and turns brown.

Ahhhh ok, thanks so much for the clarification rsfrid! I just went back out to have a closer look at it, and it's actually a mottled purple-red in colour, not brown...the same colour is on another growth at the base of the plant, so I'm wondering if maybe it grows that way? :scratchhead: I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and see what happens... :nod:

You are right sheath just has a reddish pigment. sometimes your first sheath on a young plant won't ever bloom . Although you might just have to wait ,I have some that form sheaths but the buds don't show up for 6 month's . I would just keep a eye on the sheath check every now and then to see if there are any buds forming , by having light source on opposite side of sheath you can see when they start. Your leaf looks like a good size ,so just hang in there.
Rocco

Ahhh excellent, thanks Lilrocorchids!! I will keep watching!! I have just spotted another sheath on one of my other plants...now that I know what I'm supposed to be looking for LOL.....

Your sheath looks fine from here, Is there buds inside? It could be just some shadow that the camera picked up but I counted 2 - one in each side.

Sheaths have been known to sit there for even up to a year before it flowers, it depends on the blooming season of that plant. Sometimes a catt makes a sheath in fall and doesn't do anything til the next spring, drives some of us nuts, as if we needed any more help :evil: :biggrin:

I hope you see some beautiful blossoms soon!

Hey there Lagoon.....hmmm...dunno about the buds...not too sure what Im looking for....I just see something growing LOL.....Hahaha, yeah I hear you about the nuts part :D

ahhh soo they're sneaky LOL...well, I look forward to watching these "sheaths" grow on the two plants I've seen so far......is it wrong that I keep running out to check on them, several times a day!??!?! LOL.....as if they, like the magic beans, will suddenly spring up and grow, grow, grow!!

ha ha ha, No it's okay you'll get tired out soon enough :biggrin: Besides their new to you and your excited - Just enjoy them :D
If you hold you 'chid up to a strong like you should be able to see some buds or even a stick like thingamajig.
Of course the sheath maybe empty and this time also.
Not all sheaths fill up with buds. Sometimes the plant is too young still.

:D

Oscarman has some great reference photos in his "Glossary Photos" folder.

Here's the link!

Look for the picture showing what a sheath looks like but there are lots of other really helpful images in there too.

Thanks, Oscarman!

LOL sounds like you're speaking from experience Lagoon! :lol: Thanks for the tip, I'm going to go have a peek and see if I can see anything inside!! Eeee, I'm so excited!!! :banana:

Hey there gmdiaz - thank you so much !!! That link is awesome!!! There are sooo many great photos in there - what an awesome visual glossary!!! Many many thanks Oscarman!!! :cheer: