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Cattleya's blooming

16 years ago

I had a Catt. outside that, with all the recent rain, bloomed (my first cat to bloom). So, since it is SO beautiful and VERY fragrant I brought it inside. But I'm wondering if this will put it in shock and possibly keep the other buds from opening? What do you think, should I put it back out in its normal environment?

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Comments (5)

mehitabel
16 years ago
Once an orchid flower is fertilized, it dies fairly soon. So IMO, you were right to bring it in, as it's lifespan outdoors will be pretty short.

I usually bring orchids in a few days before they open, with no problems of buds or flowers blasting.
early_bird_2007
16 years ago
If anybody has an info about naturally occuring fertilization of cattleya in North America, please, tell as.
O, my...
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It all depends on the type of cattleya. Is it a standard type large-flowering cattleya (which usually blooms when they are in about a 5" pot and over a foot tall with a sheath or sheaths.) Some miniature and semi-miniature catts bloom at a smaller size and smaller pot. You say that it is a bi-foliate cattleya. Again, if the plant is in a 5" pot it should be close to flowering. From seed, a cattleya takes on average 7 to 8 years to adult blooming size. Some may bloom earlier, depending on type.
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If you like more frequent bloom, look for the type of catts that bloom several times a year. Yes, I discovered there are such things. These catts are smaller than the regular catts (so they take up less room and I can have more of them) and sometimes the blossoms are smaller, but like the Copper Queen, they bloom on each new p-bulb. Some of mine are BLC Copper Queen, BLC Golden Tang, BLC Keeowee 'Newberry', (The three of them are outside now blooming their fool heads off), LC Jane Fumiye, BLC Ann Akagi, LC Mari's Song, and Potinara Burana Beauty 'Burana'. There are many more, if you look for them.
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If the behavior of empty sheaths goes on and on (some observe it for years on end) it is likely a lack of light. This sounds unlikely in FL but my dad in Cape Coral has killed bucketloads of Catts and Dends forget about them just not blooming because he refuses to make the connection with the orchids in the screened in porch and the Avocado and other fruit trees baking out in the screaming sun just inches away from the shade line at the edge of the porch sill. Maybe that is why I am such an advocate for sufficient light resources, I am trying to overcome some of the major dead orchid juju that is waiting for any Ashley descendants that cross over. If the Cattleya and the Phals are remotely near one another it would explain some of your results as these two groups of plants are nothing alike and conditions that would allow the one to thrive will just barely allow the other to exist. H
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Beautiful cat!. Love the colors. Names are not required to be in the gallery.
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cjwatson
16 years ago
It's okay to bring the flowering plant into the house, but make sure it is not directly under an a/c vent. A place indoors where it is bright but not in direct sun would be ideal.

Early bird, I've had lots of orchids outdoors pollinated by local bugs. In fact, some of the mini species with wee flowers, when I want to self-pollinate them I just put them outside for the tiny insects rather than try to pollinate a 1/16" flower myself.
orchidflowerchild
16 years ago
As it turns out, Cattleya flowers are pretty much easily pollinated by any medium to large bee. The fragrances and visual cues that work on columbian bumble bees work pretty well on your average N. American bumble bees, too.

I've had several Brassavola grandiflora flowers pollinated, this year.

-Cj
picotee_sofl
16 years ago
I often bring a flowering plant indoors to enjoy the blooms. Just be sure not to place it in a room with ripening fruit which can blast the buds.

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