large bud, no flower.....yet

[2020]

I have given an orchid as a gift to my partner and it has a large flower bud but as yet has not opened to flower. When i bought it [6weeks ago] you could see the flower through the skin of the bud. The bud started green,turned a pinky colour and has now turned to brown. The species is a Blc (Tribute x Mem Crispin Rosales) 'Summer Giant' [i think].

I have been tempted to split the bud to expose the flower but dont want my impatience to do the plant any harm. It has a slow release fertiliser and only watered once bark is almost dry [about twice a week]. It is kept indoors near a window and receives plenty of indirect light.

Is this normal? Any tips.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by 2020

The species is a Blc (Tribute x Mem Crispin Rosales) 'Summer Giant'

This isn't a species orchid, its a hybrid.

Originally Posted by 2020

When i bought it [6weeks ago] you could see the flower through the skin of the bud. The bud started green,turned a pinky colour and has now turned to brown.I have been tempted to split the bud to expose the flower but dont want my impatience to do the plant any harm. It has a slow release fertiliser and only watered once bark is almost dry [about twice a week]. It is kept indoors near a window and receives plenty of indirect light.

Is this normal? Any tips.

Before I answer, we have to straighten out some of our terminology here. The "skin of the bud" is called the sheath. It's a thin leafy envelope that protects the buds forming inside. You can usually see the buds forming inside. The buds themselves are inside the sheath and as they grow, the sheath will split naturally and the buds will come out and eventually open into flowers. Sometimes the sheath will turn brown and dry up before the buds emerge. This is normal. Splitting the sheath and exposing the buds is usually not a good idea. Be patient. they'll comd along eventually.

To be sure I'm giving the correct advice, it owuld be helpful to see some pictures.

[Irene]

I have had a bud get stuck in the sheath from, I presume, my moving it around in the light. The stem got all twisted and the bud got stuck in the sheath.

I did pull the sheath back and actually pull the bud out. The bud was fine after that. This was with a Phrag.

Don't know if this is what's happening with your plant. Just thought I'd share my experience.

[2020]

Originally Posted by kmarch

This isn't a species orchid, its a hybrid.

Before I answer, we have to straighten out some of our terminology here. The "skin of the bud" is called the sheath. It's a thin leafy envelope that protects the buds forming inside. You can usually see the buds forming inside. The buds themselves are inside the sheath and as they grow, the sheath will split naturally and the buds will come out and eventually open into flowers. Sometimes the sheath will turn brown and dry up before the buds emerge. This is normal. Splitting the sheath and exposing the buds is usually not a good idea. Be patient. they'll comd along eventually.

To be sure I'm giving the correct advice, it owuld be helpful to see some pictures.

Here is a photo of the Brassolaeliocattleya hybrid that has the coloured 'sheath' but has not flowered as mentioned previously.

Sorry kmarch i did know it was a hybrid but as you can see my orchid lingo isn't exactly up to scratch at this stage.

Blc (Tribute x Mem Crispin Rosales) 'Summer Giant'.jpg

Blc Tribute 'Independance Day' x C loddigesii 'Streeter's Choice'.jpg