Cattleya Spike/Sheath Maintenance

[Nicolasdperez]

Today, I bought my first cattleya (Rlc. Asia Pacific). However, in traffic on the way home I abruptly stopped causing my orchid to go airborne Luckily, only the flower broke off. However, I noticed the spike has an unopened node in the sheath. Will it possibly produce another bloom from this unopened spike? If not, how should I go about dealing with the spike and sheath? Thank you for your time

[Roberta]

Bummer on breaking that flower! But they last pretty well as 'cut flowers" too. It is very likely that you'll get the flower from the unopened bud - it was protected. Just let the plant do what it wants to naturally.

[SouthPark]

As the flower has opened, we typically expect that the spike would have all buds matured - or close to mature already. So if the existing flower spike has broken, then we don't expect to get more buds etc to form from that sheath or spike.

That is - the probability of more flowering activity occurring for that particular sheath or spike is pretty much zero.

But ----- at least you're able to take a very nice pic of that flower - which still looks excellent.

As for the sheath. Just allow the spike and sheath to dry up. And - if your orchid grows in a place where water can get into the pocket of the sheath, then you could just split the sheath in half (carefully). So that any water can drain right out. That's just to avoid water from building up in there - and avoid bacterial/fungal/rotting activity.

For most of my catts that are growing under the shelter of a balcony ----- I often just leave the dried spikes, dried flowers, dried sheaths as they are heheh. Sometimes they eventually fall off.

[Nicolasdperez]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Bummer on breaking that flower! But they last pretty well as 'cut flowers" too. It is very likely that you'll get the flower from the unopened bud - it was protected. Just let the plant do what it wants to naturally.

Thank you for your help

---------- Post added at 05:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:52 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

As the flower has opened, we typically expect that the spike would have all buds matured - or close to mature already. So if the existing flower spike has broken, then we don't expect to get more buds etc to form from that sheath or spike.

That is - the probability of more flowering activity occurring for that particular sheath or spike is pretty much zero.

But ----- at least you're able to take a very nice pic of that flower - which still looks excellent.

As for the sheath. Just allow the spike and sheath to dry up. And - if your orchid grows in a place where water can get into the pocket of the sheath, then you could just split the sheath in half (carefully). So that any water can drain right out. That's just to avoid water from building up in there - and avoid bacterial/fungal/rotting activity.

For most of my catts that are growing under the shelter of a balcony ----- I often just leave the dried spikes, dried flowers, dried sheaths as they are heheh. Sometimes they eventually fall off.

Thank you for all your help I will make sure to follow your advice regarding water buildup in the sheath. I have heard that some cattleya hybrids are capable or producing another flower from the stem. But since I will be waiting on the plant either way, I guess time will tell

[SouthPark]

Most welcome.

Originally Posted by Nicolasdperez

However, I noticed the spike
has an unopened node in the sheath.

Have you got a pic of the region that you are referring to? A close-up pic just for clarification about that particular area of focus.

If the spike has not broken off, and if the 'node' that you are referring to is an unopened flower bud, then there's hop for sure. I just can't see from the opening orchid pic any signs of a flower spike. So maybe we just can't see the spike from that particular photograph.

[SouthPark]

I meant - 'spike' not broken off! Typo ---- fixed now!

[Nicolasdperez]

The node I am referring to can be seen in the second picture. Not necessarily an unopened flower bud; I know some orchids are capable of creating another stem from these nodes which can hold flower buds. However, this is my first time with a cattleya, and I am unaware of its growing nature. Thank you again

[Roberta]

No, that isn't going to bloom. So just nurture the plant and be patient. Sometimes these small Catts can bloom more than once a year. Here's hoping!

[SouthPark]

Thanks Nicolas for showing those close-up pics. Good photos. The behaviour of catts is typically one spike for each sheath.

But ----- looking at the original pic ----- it appears there is at least one new pseudobulb forming. So maybe more flowers to come if we look after this orchid really well.

[Nicolasdperez]

Thank you both for all your help. I will try my best to give it proper care and a happy life