Understanding Orchid Morphology

[MACH5]

Hello,

I'm a relatively newcomer to the world of orchids. I purchased a Catt from Lowes some time ago. I assume that the plant is doing well? I have included a few pics. I have the following questions:

1. In the first pic, there is a tan, dried up looking leaf in the center. Is this the sheath of a dormant flower spike? If so, how long before it comes up or is it done flowering?

2. The spike to the left seen on the second and third pic is a growth spike correct?

3. How long do the Pbulbs take to mature for flowering?







Thank you in advance for all your help

[Bud]

Welcome & Hello !
Sit back and relax...you've come to the right place...read postings by other members and learn from their wealth of knowledge learned from their years of experience on growing orchids.

your plant has bloomed before and the old died spike at the center of the two leaves.
you have a basal keiki (baby)not a spike that might flower for you in 3 to 4 months
you have a teenaged plant in between the old and the mature bulbs that might flower in a couple of months
* a new growth is the right time to repot and check out the roots....I suggest you use a cattleya media mix....unless you have mastered the skewer method and deal with that sphagnum moss your plant is in

[Gage]

I definitely agree with everything Bud had to say, especially about repotting. I would just add that I think the first picture looks like an unbloomed sheath that has been torn, but I suppose it could be an old spike that has been cut. If you touch it you should be able to easily tell if there is a "stump" left from a spike. Otherwise, if it feels like a dried up leaf it is an unbloomed sheath. The plant looks healthy. Good luck!

[MACH5]

Thanks Bud this was very helpful. Let me ask what is the skewer method you're referring to? The spag is my own doing which clearly shows my inexperience Should I go ahead and repot now?

Is there a more specific Catt soil mix or can I use a standard orchid mix?

[MACH5]

Originally Posted by Gage

I definitely agree with everything Bud had to say, especially about repotting. I would just add that I think the first picture looks like an unbloomed sheath that has been torn, but I suppose it could be an old spike that has been cut. If you touch it you should be able to easily tell if there is a "stump" left from a spike. Otherwise, if it feels like a dried up leaf it is an unbloomed sheath. The plant looks healthy. Good luck!

Thanks Cage! I have two of those sheaths. When you touch them they do not feel like old cut flower spike stumps but like a dried up leaf. Glad to hear my plant is doing well

[Bud]

the skewer method: to test the wetness of the media by sticking a wooden stick or a pencil to the center of the pot.

I suggest you go to the nearest orchid supply store and look for Cattleya mix; there are many in your area in fact you have several local orchid farms too....you may also order it online.

maybe it got the right media mix when you first got your plant but you repotted in moss....I am not saying that its wrong to use moss....
some people have success with using moss on Cattleyas but others experienced root rotfrom overwatering or the opposite=dehydration
it just takes the experts on moss to grow well in them

[MACH5]

Ok thanks again Bud!

Yes haha now I know what you meant by the skewer method! I have been very careful with the moss precisely to avoid rotting the roots but I will check the mix you're talking about. I am now beginning to realize most orchids are planted in bark or something similar.

Can I repot it now??

[Bud]

yes repot now.....active fertilizer and water too.... theres roots growing and a new seedling; its also the warmer months for growth....otherwise if you repotted on a wrong timing: some cattleyas sulk and wont bloom for a season

[MACH5]

Ok thanks will do! I may also consider going with a smaller pot.

[Wynn Dee13]

I grow almost all my orchids in sphagnum moss in clay pots with a few styrofoam packing peanuts in the bottom for drainage. I grow almost all my Catts this way and they do great. I actually prefer moss over any other potting meadium. The trick is to not pack it too tightly. I water when the moss is dry and if you pack the moss loosely it dries out pretty fast. I have never used the skewer method with moss. I think it is easier to tell when to water with moss than bark because bark dries out on the top first and the middle still stays wet for awhile.

How long have you been growing your plant in moss? If you have been growing for a while in moss and you haven't rotted the roots or killed the plant you are doing well with moss and I think you can keep it where it is. If the moss isn't doing well for you repot when the new growth starts to put out new roots.

In your first pic it looks like one of the plants first sheaths and it didn't produce anything. A lot of times they don't bloom from their first little sheaths. I don't think it will bloom from that sheath since the plant has grown a few more mature bulbs since it grew the sheath. Catts bloom from the newest growth and will only bloom one time from each growth. In the other pictures you have a new growth growing and it will grow into a new pseudobulb. It might bloom from that new growth if the plant is old enough and if it is getting the right conditions.

Good luck and if you have any questions we are here to help!