Cattleyas at Rest

Aerides · #1 08-11-2004, 06:11 PM

IF a cattleya has a pronounced rest period, is it always AFTER blooming? Or is it always in WINTER, regardless of when the cattleya blooms?

For example, Carl Withner talks about C. warscewiczii "needing a definite resting period reinforced by keeping the plants dry." But he doesn't say when the rest occurs. Which leads me to assume that anyone who knows anything about cattleyas would also know this (?)

Me =

You = :lemmetell

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LJA · #2 08-11-2004, 08:14 PM

LOL! Many of our Catts bloom in the early winter. After they bloom, however, they definitely go into suspended animation and don't do a thing. That's when it's very easy to overwater them, and when you have to be most careful about not doing that. We never give them any kind of "prolonged" dry spell though. We just make sure that the roots *dry completely off* before the plants are watered again.

Aerides · #3 08-12-2004, 09:52 AM

Thanks Louis. So basically, you just let your plants tell you what they need (or don't need)?

Geez, what a concept !

Thing is, I have a Potinara Green Emerald ‘Orchis’ Queen (bifoliate) that should be spiking. I'm pretty sure its getting plenty of light. It is previously bloomed (not by me) last spring and has since completed a new growth. Now it is rooting. There's a little nubbie in the crotch of the two leaves that looks like it might do something. I'm wondering whether I should dry it off or what? Since many bifoliates live in pretty stressful conditions I'm wondering whether that plays a function in spiking. But I suppose if it's rooting, I shouldn't hold back water. I'm kind've sparing with it anyway, since it came potted in sphagnum.

OrchidTraci · #4 09-10-2004, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lja

LOL! Many of our Catts bloom in the early winter. After they bloom, however, they definitely go into suspended animation and don't do a thing. That's when it's very easy to overwater them, and when you have to be most careful about not doing that. We never give them any kind of "prolonged" dry spell though. We just make sure that the roots *dry completely off* before the plants are watered again.

My cattlyea finished its bloom and I have watered it one since (about a feew ago. How do I know when a rest period is over?

Jmoney · #5 09-10-2004, 08:20 AM

there are some species that actually might grow during the winter (in the northern hemisphere) and bloom in early spring. i think laelia purpurata falls into that category, and i'm pretty sure at least a couple of the unifoliage catts do as well.

check out this link:
chadwick's catt articles

OrchidTraci · #6 09-10-2004, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmoney

there are some species that actually might grow during the winter (in the northern hemisphere) and bloom in early spring. i think laelia purpurata falls into that category, and i'm pretty sure at least a couple of the unifoliage catts do as well.

check out this link:
chadwick's catt articles

The thing I'm most confused about is, is the rest period over when new roots show up? The pb that just flowered is sending out roots that are growing rapidly. I don't want to deydrate them and not water for a few weeks. This is so confusing!

Jmoney · #7 09-10-2004, 09:11 AM

new roots = *not* rest period = water water water

OrchidTraci · #8 09-10-2004, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmoney

new roots = *not* rest period = water water water

Thanks for clearing it up.

momokev · #9 09-13-2004, 06:02 PM

John, what are you reading? I just got his volume one of his catt books

Lisa

Aerides · #10 09-14-2004, 03:58 PM

Hi, Lisa. That's the one. I'm working on a culture/environment table now for species cattleyas based on the book.

p.s. One of the cattleyas that prompted the original question is now in bloom! Can't wait to get home and sniff it.