Cattleya guatamalensis in my collection

[Jungle Elfa]

Hello, I have a C. guatamalensis in my collection for over 10 years but it's never bloomed! This year it formed many sheaths and I was hopeful. They all turned yellow but no flowers yet again. Any hints on how I could get it to bloom? It's healthy and light green in shade so I'm sure it's getting enough light. Any help would be appreciated.

[Cjcorner]

There are a couple local nurserys I have seen "neglect" their plants to stress them into blooming. That is, you stop watering them regularly and you stop fertilizing them. Sometimes the heat/cold changes and the humidity changes can also blast sheaths. I'm a pro at blasting them...it's pretty common and very very annoying. Hang in there, maybe it will bloom nicely in a few more months. One less positive...I have heard of plants that never bloom and forget now what they call them (other than annoying, or cuss words, lol).

[Jungle Elfa]

There are a couple local nurserys I have seen "neglect" their plants to stress them into blooming. That is, you stop watering them regularly and you stop fertilizing them. Sometimes the heat/cold changes and the humidity changes can also blast sheaths. I'm a pro at blasting them...it's pretty common and very very annoying. Hang in there, maybe it will bloom nicely in a few more months. One less positive...I have heard of plants that never bloom and forget now what they call them (other than annoying, or cuss words, lol).

Thanks for the advice. I did try to stress the plant with cold and less watering but it hasn't worked yet. I do think that this orchid requires lots of light and maybe it's just not getting enough when it needs it. I've noticed that the one I did see bloom at the Montreal Botanical Garden was a huge specimen, about 10X the size of mine. I that orchid in that it's lived in my collection for so long. Good to have a real challenge. Thanks for the advice.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I would suggest upping the light - alot. I know you said it is light green, but if it is ten years old and healthy, it should be blooming. The number one reason an orchid doesn't bloom is not enough light followed by not enough water. Also, this orchid might require a winter cool-down. I know many of our orchids need to get pretty cold to bloom the next year. Is the orchid grown in a constant (not really 10 + or - degrees) difference all year long? If so, time to change that too. It may be feeling too content and feel no need to reproduce. A little temp change and a lot more light is what I would start with.

And, imagine the satisfaction you will feel when it finally puts on its show. Best of luck to you and welcome to the forum!

Cheers,
BD

[Joanie]

I agree that you should make sure you get a cool down. Mine has set sheaths and it typically blooms in early May. They also enjoy very bright light. I would move it a very bright area. Mine resides with my Porcia's and they get lots of light and can tolerate the afternoon sun...shaded of course. Good luck.