A lazy Cattleya schilleriana

[Intruder]

Since more than 10 years I cultivated a Cattleya Schilleriana which flowered only once and it still badly left for the next year. I believe it should emit a new PB in Autumn but until now it produces only roots. The plant is beautiful and in good health.
I give him a maximum of light but that becomes more and more difficult because we advance in the season. I water it lightly two times per week and it receives no fertiliser. What can I do to make it leave its torpor?
Many thanks in advance for your help.

[silken]

A photo would be helpful. Some light fertilizer on a regular basis would likely help. Most orchid media doesn't have much for nutrients. Certain Catts do produce their roots on the last mature growth and then a new growth. I have a number that produce roots and new growths at various stages.

Usually lack of bloom is caused by not enough light or other poor growing conditions. When was it last potted? How much light is maximum light? It may need to go under lights over winter if it isn't already.

If all requirements are met, it could also have a virus, which makes them not bloom or not readily. I tested some reluctant bloomers and found that was the case.

[Intruder]

Here are two picture showing the guy.



Last re-pot is in june 2013. The pot measure 13 cm (5") diam.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Although it looks healthy, that is a big pot for a small plant. Some of my Cattleyas grow and bloom better when grown in smaller pots relative to the size of the plant. Also, I see the best root growth and root longevity when Cattleyas are grown in terracotta pots.

[Intruder]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Although it looks healthy, that is a big pot for a small plant. Some of my Cattleyas grow and bloom better when grown in smaller pots relative to the size of the plant. Also, I see the best root growth and root longevity when Cattleyas are grown in terracotta pots.

The pot is full of roots.Without breaking the roots it is impossible to use a smaller pot.

[silken]

If the pot is full of healthy roots and the media is good, I guess you can't downsize. Sometimes new roots growing outward are a sign they don't like what's in the pot. But it can just be there are lots of roots also.

You say you never fertilise and that could be your problem. Every living thing needs to eat and there isn't a lot of nutrition from the water or the media.

The growth in the front centre looks to be the latest mature one. if it was going to bloom, you would already have a sheath or sign of a spike, at least in most cases. It doesn't have many growths for 10 years either. Usually 4 or 5 growths are needed to support blooms. I would suggest giving it a balanced fertilizer weakly, weekly. Over winter it may not need twice a week watering. Mine get once a week in summer and once every 10 days or so in a cool greenhouse in winter. But everyone's conditions are different. Catts need to dry out in between watering. After a new growth is just started growing, you could try switching to a fertilizer with less nitrogen and more phosphates to try and initiate bloom.

Just to add to my comments: OrchidWiz says about schilleriana that they need less water in autumn and fall after growths have matured, but not be allowed to shrivel. Do not overfeed ever, but especially thru winter when growth is slow. It also says light is brightest in fall and winter. This plant often does better mounted, but yours looks OK so long as all the roots in the pot are doing OK.

Hope this helps.

[euplusia]

I don't grow schilleriana in my collection, but I have seen quite a few. First impression is that your plant looks healthy, with a good root system and a good pigmentation, indicating that it receives good light. So there is not much to be altered.
As said before, wintertime is a rest period. But in the next growing season you should fertilize more to get even stronger bulbs. I would not repot or disturb the root system, as there is space in the pot for the growth of one or two more years.

[withoutid]

I checked this species on AOS website and found that in their natural habitat, C. schilleriana has 4 dry months from June to September (Cattleya schilleriana). I guess you can reduce watering the plant to imitate stress-induced flowering. I know certain people claim as long as the plant reaches its maximal condition, it will flower but unfortunately it's not true.

[wintergirl]

To me I might think you are keeping your plant too dry, as your pseudo-bulbs are very shriveled. Mine used to be like that before I really gave them a long drink, then let dry out between. You can still keep they dry for a long period, but when you water them really give them a good amount.

Your roots even look dry. Maybe soak them until they are green, then let dry for about 9 days.

[missbehavecutie]

I have put mine in semi hydro and it seems to really like the water , even if it is in Autumn and technically i should be giving them less water than in spring summer!