petal not opening!

[Aquii Finn]

I finally got a cat intermedia orlata aquini to bloom, but the petals are closed at day 3? any ideas on why or what can be done?

[Chris in Hamilton]

Did you move it to a different location when they started to open?

[raybark]

Is that not yet open, or closed soon after opening.?

[Aquii Finn]

Did you move it to a different location when they started to open?

No I didn't move it, it is weak though. The flower stem crimped a bit under the weight of the 4 flowers growing. So i splinted it back straight with tape yesterday on day 4...today the petals might be expanding a little? not sure....I was under the impression most catts take 3 days to fully open....I have only had the plant 8 months to be honest, and really lucky to get it to send out buds in my living room...the 4th cattleya success under my grow light....I tried the agrosun gold 1000w bulb 5 months ago...so it did generate flowers but still may be in shock or weak from the new artificial light source, or weak from the light level? I bought 10 or so catts 4-5 months ago, (25) not even knowing if i could get them to bloom indoors in my apt, so very happy so far....probably lucky with the warmer types...It is eclectic having fragrant catts nearby when your painting!!! I also can't even tell if my 2 hanging walkeranias are blooming or just growing new bulbs! and their 3-4" long!.....arrgghh i guess you have to wait for a leaf or a bud to pop out...I wonder if they decide late which way to go?

my first time seeing it. it opened dark purple and white, now it has lavender tones, and the petals still are not wide like some photos... it is kind of opening so possibly it takes a week?...not sure if its from me peeking or its naturally opening

[Dorsetman]

You have a catt with wonderful colour, there. To get the perfect flowers, you need perfect culture, every day...don't worry, it may do better next year. I am trying hard to improve my culture, have been doing that for a very long time, and occasionally I am rewarded. If it was too easy, it would not be worth doing it !

[bchd95]

I’ve seen this on an aquini before. The markings on the petals are similar to that of the lip. Is this orchid peloric by chance? Danny/ Missorchidgirl on youtube made a video about her aquini with the same issues. If it is chances are you’ll never know when if shes going to open completley or have the flowers shaped similar to a lycaste unfortunately.
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[Aquii Finn]

I believe this is a peloric form of the typical C. intermedia. The photos of the plants previous blooms were wide open. So I think it is due to ragged culture. The psuedobulbs are heavily shriveled, the leaves also look hammered even though lite green and healthy looking. I think it has been suffering and dry in this clay pot for yrs...is my guess. Probably needs a lot more water like a mounted plant, in this pot. It dries out quick and the root block inside is not letting air circulate, or enough water to penetrate, I figure anyway...I bought it 4-5 months ago, and did not repot it, arrrgghhh, as I was green, and watched in awe at the new growth grow up real fast. In hind site that may have been the proper time to repot it, with new roots growing...however buds emerged and were perfect all the way to opening, just not fully opened. I figure now, with help, the culture was lacking and it is down on energy. the weight of the 4 flowers crimped the flower stem a bit also. so it seems weak. The flowers are really striking and i really love the plant....after i see the new roots emerge, ill get it into a proper size plastic pot, (as most of mine are in plastic and then it can get on the same watering program) and use fresh medium and free up the root knot inside, and get it on track and improve the culture...

[zainal abidin]

I dont think it's peloric usually the peloric will show very bizarre presentation of the floral structure yours to me quite acceptable could be other factors by the way I like this clone especially the lip the color so intense.