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almost blooming

11 years ago

I have two cattleya orchids one with an unknown name that blooms every year in November without fail, the other is a hawaiian wizard that trys to bloom but doesn't quite succeed. Both are kept side by side outside in the summer with morning sun and begin to show signs of budding around the beginning of September but by the end of September they have to go in the house. The unnamed one continues on to blooming but the hawaiian bud slowly dies. I have a feeling it's the humidity but I'm not sure. Are there any other ideas? Thanks

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Comments (8)

tolumniamatt
11 years ago
A better picture would give us a better story to read into your problem. We need to see the pseudobulbs.
arthurm
11 years ago
Yes, a picture of the whole plant will help. Photos on the net of this orchid in bloom are taken in November.

Generally the easiest "Cattleyas" to grow are those that bloom late summer/early autumn. Those that bloom in late autumn/winter are a bit more difficult.

What are your growing conditions like inside?
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guatejo
Original Author
11 years ago
It's too late to get a picture of the pseudobulbs until next sept. From September on it gets continually dryer in the house as winter gets colder. I keep both orchids watered, I think adequately, all winter. Should I spray them, or at least the Hawaiian wizard, daily?
arthurm
11 years ago
Just a bit more info. Apart from the winter flowering types there are those that flower in spring, they "rest" during winter.
Down the backyard i have hundreds of Cattleyas, some are in bud and will flower in the next few months, others have formed a sheath and will do nothing for months....in nature, the ancestors were waiting for some event.
As for misting and stuff, it might do more harm than good.These orchids have pseudobulbs to get them through dryer periods.
Over to Tolumniamatt. he will be able to give better information. At least there is a real winter in zone 6a. Though it is interesting to note that the largest Cattleya nursery in Australia actually has light frosts at times during winter but the days are mostly sunny and the temperature lifts.
Do you have any idea of indoor winter temps and humidity readings?

This post was edited by arthurm on Wed, Feb 20, 13 at 15:32
guatejo
Original Author
11 years ago
I just figured out what the pseudobubs are on the cattleya. Here's a picture. Today the temp is 66 and humidity 44. I would say though that in october when they come into the house the temp and humidity a a little higher.
jane__ny
11 years ago
Plant looks healthy. The new growth looks small and the leaf dark green. A wild guess would be to increase the light and when you bring them in, put them under lights or a very sunny window to let it finish blooming.

Humidity never bothered mine but enough light would.

Jane
guatejo
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Jane, I'll try more light this fall.
guatejo
Original Author
10 years ago
With a bit of effort, I gave this orchid more sun and/or grow light and it's about to bloom. All it needed was more light, thanks.

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