Cattleyas Orchid

Discussion in 'Orchidaceae (orchids)' started by homar, May 1, 2004.

  1. homar

    homar Member

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    Location:
    huntington beach, ca
    When my cattleyas orchid finished blooming last year, I cut the flower stem at the base. Following the instructions of a local garden shop in southern CA. The orchid has since started several air roots and seems to be thriving in a NE window. How long will it take to start a new flower stem and how will I be able to recognize it.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 1, 2004
  2. mr.shep

    mr.shep Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    San Joaquin Valley, California
    Hi Homar:

    For us in Fresno indoors, not in a greenhouse, Cattleyas
    bloom between April and June. The books that we have
    are rather inconsistent on what triggers a blooming spike
    or spikes to appear. Is it light reduction or cooler temps
    that will facilitate a bloom? I think both factors are equally
    important. I have not found for us which factor works best
    but I am leaning towards cooler night time temps.

    The spike itself starts as a round stem-like protrusion that you
    will not mistake for anything other than a blooming spike. On
    one of our varieties the flowering spike develops from the tip
    of a shoot ending in a whorl of two leaves. The other form of
    Cattleya of ours will have its spike initiate from the base of the
    plant.

    For further reading you may want to check out these websites.

    http://www.orchid.org.uk/contents.htm

    http://orchidweb.org

    Jim
     

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