Cattleya Question

[switchblade]

I am thinking about getting a catt but i was discouraged by a local orchid nursery that does not sell cattleyas about the frequency and bloom duration of catts. I am curious to know how often do catts bloom yearly and how long do the blooms last on average??

[tangers40]

that depends a lot on the specific catt's genetics and your growing conditions. also, in comparison to, say, phalaenopsis, no the flowers don't last very long. you can get upwards of 6 or 7 months out of a phalaenopsis; cattleyas last a week to a month or so, there again depending on a lot of things.

Cattleyas sometimes sulk if you keep on repotting and messing with their roots...wont bloom for another season; if you really like the blooms, its worth the wait. Most of my cattleyas are given to me so I have no choice but to care for them...yet if you have fallen in love with its blooms, you will cherish everyone of them.

[katrina]

Some catts bloom only once a year whereas others seem to be in bloom almost continuously.

[switchblade]

Thanks for all your comments. I had no clue that some Phals have blooms that lasted that long. I have also shyed away from phals as well because of crown rot and lighting issues associated with trying to grow them outside. Phals and Catts in Jamaica cost much more than Dens which i have alot of. I might try a Phal instead and try growing outdoors when i complete my shade bamboo shade house. I have fallen in love with the catt blooms but from the sound of it they bloom once a year?

[switchblade]

It sounds like you are implying that they bloom once a year?

[Ray]

Mature cattleyas tend to bloom regularly upon the maturation of new growths. How often that occurs is dependent upon the particular plant's genetics and your culture. A good specimen of the right hybrid will have growths maturing regularly, so as was said, can be almost constantly in bloom. Most species and less-mature plants will bloom less frequently.

Concerning your fears of crown rot in phals, consider growing the plant from pots or baskets lying on their sides, so the leaves hang down like they do in nature. Water cannot be trapped that way.

[switchblade]

Thanks Ray that was the plan for the phal. Thanks again for the advice.
Whats the difference between pot. , blc. lc and cattleyas or do they fall under the same alliance. Also the difference between Dtps. and Phal.

[dounoharm]

potinara slc lc blc are all part of the cattleya alliance....it seems that the smaller catts, the mini catts bloom twice a year, while the big old honking corsage catts bloom once a year.....the blooms can last from a week to a month depending on how you care for the plant, and its genetics....mine havent lasted well in the greenhouse this season because of the extreme heat wave we been having, so i bring some of them indoors...they last better in the air conditioning.....i think once you get cattleyas you either love them or hate them, i am in love with them, and i have so many i about always have something blooming....i think they are all marvelous! the flower size ranges from 1 1/2 inches on the minit catts to 6-7 inches on the standard large ones.....phals are ok, but dont hold the same fascination with me....gl in your choice, and enjoy them!

[switchblade]

Well i guess nature may have had a big hand in my choice. Cattleya blooming season is here and Phals are out of season! I recently acquired this beautiful NOID from the former Jamaica Orchid Society president's house/nursery. It may be a NOID but i love its flamboyant lip and colors.

What is that white substance on the leaves though? Is it natural?

[Bolero]

Like the others have said, it depends on the plant. Mine generally last in good conditions from 2 to 4 weeks but I have some plants that blooms 2 or 3 times per year.

And also like others have said, they can sulk when you repot but I have repotted and them flower within months.

[hera]

Do a little research and chose a catt that will bloom several times a year. I had a Hsin Buu Lady that would bloom 3 to 4 times a year and the blooms lasted about a month.

[willowbanks]

Switchblade, the substance on your leaves looks like fungicide (Mancozeb) residue, it looks dirty but it is protecting your plant, I don't clean it off unless I'm taking the plant to a show.

Just to be sure you could ring the ex President and ask him. I'm wondering if he is Claude Hamilton.

Bill

[switchblade]

Thanks was wondering if i should clean it and yes its Mr. Hamilton. He lives less than a minute away from me. went there the other day and was surrounded by orchids.

[11Orchid126]

You might want to do some research for growers who will send you their catalogs, or even check the net for on-line catalogs that give a description of their plants. They will say something like 'blooms twice a year' or 'blooms several times a year'. If they don't say anything, then you can probably assume they only bloom once a year.

[greenpassion]

In regards to growing phals, if your worried about water setting in the crown of leaves, you can absorb any sitting water with the tip of a napkin or tissue. I grow phals upright under lights and when I water, I go back and get rid of any excess water trapped in the crowns.

[greenpassion]

I am new to orchids, so I should probably keep my mouth shut... I was given my first orchid as a gift about 7mths ago. It was a fully bloomed white phal from Just add Ice Orchids. The info I got was that phals are the best orchids for beginners, and are the easiest to grow. That they take lower light than most other orchids is a plus, as I grow mine under lights. I love Oncidiums, but they take a lot of bright light, and I am skepticle that they'd do well under lights. Anyway, I suppose the ease of care isn't really the driving asset for the orchids in this poll. But then again, phals still have the advantage of really long blooming time. Again, what do I know?

[Algyros]

Interesting thread. I love Catts, but mine have only bloomed once a year (so far).

Are there any Catts that bloom more than once a year AND are (very) fragrant?

Thanks.

[jsehorn]

As many have said, it depends largely on the specific plant. I have some that produce new growth once a year, then bloom, and then rest for a while before more new growths initiate. Those plants only bloom once a year. I have other plants which begin new growth as soon as the previous growth is matured, and these plants can bloom several times a year.

As far as how long the flowers last, I find that the large flowered, frilly types with a velvety texture may only last two or three weeks, while plants with heavy substance and waxy textured flowers can last for a month or even two. The variability of Cattleya is astounding, and there's sure to be a Cattleya out there to meet everybody's taste. You just have to pick the right ones for what you want.

[Orchidementia]

I see you got a lovely plant! It's very beautiful.

I would have voted catt, but that's because I put the FAIL in phalaenopsis yet can bloom catts.