Poor perfomer Cattleya bowringiana

[Germinatorman]

Hey guys. I have a problem with a Catt. It is Catt. bowringiana. Two years ago it gave me a beautiful show. Last year the flowers were few, very small and deformed.
Yesterday my flowers started opening again on a really nice, tall growth. The sheath was nice and big. When the flowers came out - again they were small and deformed. Some had the petals cocked, some never opened completely. I am stumped.
If I had never seen it bloom nicely I would think it was the breeding but it was capable of a wonderful bloom.
Any thoughts? I grow it in my basement with my other Catts. and Laelias. I use 400 watt high pressure sodium lights. The plant is stocky looking, looks to be fine but.......
I feed MSU fertilizer with RO water. I feed weakly weekly.
My fear is virus. I don't see any evidence on the leaves but ......
any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[orchidlady]

Might be worth it to test the plant to rule virus in or out. You might also double check your nutrients. I have heard of people having deficiencies with MSU/RO water. It seems MSU is made by a number of companies and may not be as balanced as you think for nutrients. This is all heresay, though-I don't use MSU or RO water.

Susan

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I agree with Susan. Also - even if you don't test for virus, try alternating fertilizers. We use two or three different fertilizers (not always the same three). Best of luck!

Cheers,
BD

[Cjcorner]

I've started changing up my fertilizers too. I've added osmocote for time release, tap water carries micro-nutrients, and I have about three other bottles I rotate so they get a balanced round of nutrients. I've even been known to add a few drops of tomato plant food for fun. lol
My biggest problem with floofies is the blooming thing too. I am pushing the food and increasing sunlight levels and seeing improvement big time. That and i'm now keeping a regular schedule with bug and fungus treatments.
Good Luck!

[Raphael]

Check for a virus but I am suspecting that your fertilizer ppm may be a little high. I use 2 different fertilizers and I fertilize at every watering (very weak dose), since I use RO water. Every once in a while, I flush copiously with pure water. I had the same dilemma years ago and I was fertilizing too much!