Cattleya sheaths but no buds
 

Quite a few of mycattleyas have sheaths on the new growths but with no buds visible inside. Will these sheaths ever get buds or will I have to wait for a new growth?

They might swell and produce buds, so stay vigilant. Then again, they might not. How mature is the plant? Has it bloomed before?

My [limited] experience with Near Blooming Size Catts, is that they sometimes produce empty sheaths and then produce sheaths & buds on the following year's new growth.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Here are 3 quite large Catt that have sheaths but no sign of buds. They were all repotted however on purchase earlier this year. It looks like they have flowered previously.

are temps above 50f in your area ? You may be able to get them to bud by exposing them to a couple of weeks colder temps outdoors. No harm in trying - if nothing happens, then you will probably have to wait until next year. My catts need to outdoors in Summer/Fall to get them to bud. If you did have them outdoors, and you fertilised, then maybe the position/light wasn't bright enough.

....they look great btw. Alternative to outdoors, placement near a cracked window ?

Unfortuately I have to go away for 10 days so dont want to risk leaving them outside but I can try when I get back if it is warm enough. There is certainly a lot of root growth.

not sure if you have heating but if you turn that down to about 55f and place the orchids near a sunny window - that's worth a try. Alternatively I have cracked open a window in a spare south-facing bedroom and had cool growers do well in Winter. I make sure the bedroom door is kept shut.

My BLC Lady's Favorite had sheaths for a couple of months before I saw the appearance of buds inside. It is now in bloom...finally! :)

Many catts produce sheaths that appear empty for awhile and the buds come later. Quite common actually.

In the evening, shine a torch or light through the sheath and see if there is a tiny bud forming inside.

As Katrina mentioned, many cats produce buds after the sheath matures. In some strains, the sheaths may even die and go brown but the buds still form.

If nothing forms, don't stress, it happens to all of us.
You'll have to wait until next season.

Many many Catts produce sheaths and then months later the buds appear.

I would be hesitant to drop the temps too much this time of the year. Many Catts are also warm growers and you could end up stalling or aborting the buds.

My g/h never goes below 60 and I've never had a problem blooming a Catt. The most important ingredient to blooming a Catt is first the correct amount of light, appropriate temperature and adequate water and a little fertilizer.

Brooke