Sick Cattleya

Only time will tell if the blooms will hold on. Sometimes these guys are amazingly resilliant. Meiko looks like one cool dude -

Yes... and gianormously FAT. (15.1 lbs at his last vet appt a month ago.) And mouthy. I listen to him every morning screaming at the top of his lungs, even after breakfast. I think he's complaining because heaven forbid I stop paying attention to him for 8 hours to sleep (he sleeps on me or next to me most nights).

On the topic of attention.. I noticed that my non-sick Bc. Hamana Soft is looking extremely bright green now that it's back on the east window sill again! Now if I can just get it to give me a bloom spike... It's been throwing off leaves only for the past 4 years since my mom got it... It's been healthier at my place, but still no spikes!

The two new leaves have long ... well, I guess you could say, sectioned sheath-type things on them that are speckled purple (they just grow this way, doesn't appear to be a burn issue). A couple of the sections' edges are starting to cup away from the stems, but so far nothing seems to be coming out of them. Any ideas how to get this stubborn little orchid to bloom?

Little purple specks are "happy marks". Almost like the beginnings of a sun-tan in humans. It means the plant is in adequate light to bloom.

A lot of catts need about a 20F temperature differential between night and day in order to bloom. Some of them make sheaths, some of them just bloom from the center without sheaths (My Blc. Goldenzelle makes some HUGE sheaths, while my Blc. Momilani Rainbow never makes sheaths--the buds just pop out shortly after the bifolate leaves open.) In my catt growing area, day temps top out at 82F but at night I'm down to about 59.5F. (That's in my east window growing area, we run the air conditioner a lot at night [along with the humidifiers]. We both like a very cool room to sleep well, and the plants like it too.)

In short, there is nothing you can do to force the plant to bloom other than to ensure that your culture is good.





[quote=The two new leaves have long ... well, I guess you could say, sectioned sheath-type things on them that are speckled purple (they just grow this way, doesn't appear to be a burn issue). A couple of the sections' edges are starting to cup away from the stems, but so far nothing seems to be coming out of them. Any ideas how to get this stubborn little orchid to bloom? [/quote]

Hmm... I'm betting its the temp drop at night that's doing it. I'm using my spare room for my growing area and am not totally set up yet for all the plants I'm buying! (Today was payday, so I hope to fix this problem.) That room is probably one of the most steady in temperature and usually on the warmer side. I'll have to figure out a way to cool it off at night more. I think it only gets down to mid-lower 70's in there now with around lower 80's for max day temps.

Thanks again, Clint!

Problem solved (I think). Increase the temp difference and keep us posted!

Will do! I'm hoping maybe my happy marked leaves will be kind to me... The blooms were SO fragrant and sweet smelling.. almost like lilacs.

Ok... new issue... sort of. Clint was kind enough to ID my other catt with the lost tag (kicking myself) as an Slc... After surfing for pics, I agree with that assessment. I remember the name "gold mine" on the tag.. however any slc goldmine/gold mine/mine gold orchids I'm finding photo's of are all deep yellow. I'm thinking the gold mine might have been one of the parents now... Now I'm doing the "wth is it?" search. I came across a deep red who's name I just KNOW I've seen someplace and it makes me wonder.. It's name is Jewel Box Sheherazade and it looks like this...

I think this has several similarities to mine... which then brings me to... WTH is it?!?!

Shaydra,

There are many hybrids that look very similar and I've found over the years that once you've lost a tag it's best not to waste the effort (unless you have a general idea). I don't think the plant you posted is Jewel Box because of the flaring on the petals/sepals.

You got paid today? Let us know if you go out and buy anything!

*pouts* I am one of those people who will probably end up turning the apt upside down looking for that stupid tag this weekend. Don't ask me why - I just do that! Unfortunately, the last time I remember seeing it was about 1.5 yrs ago. I'll find it someday.

I will probably go pay a bunch of bills! This is a lucky 3-check month for us here at the bank, so I'll probably go looking for supplies to get the spare room set up properly for the 4 orchids I'll be getting in about 2 weeks.. and the 3 I already have... and the roses and ... I can't remember what is name is but it's like a dessicated aloe plant with extra leaves but only about 2" high, I had one that had babies... and the kalanchu that's gone wild, and the aloe plant (anyone know how I can keep this one from getting to be 3.5 feet tall?)... Oh and then there are the violet leaves from a coworker that I'm trying to root...

Yeah.. I'm thinking a shelving unit that's about 6' high might do the trick.

Shaydra,

Have fun shopping. Just remember:

"I would rather have a NOID that I love than a named plant that I didn't care for."

*warm fuzzies* Very true! Thanks again!