Details - How Do They Grow

[donkeymom]

I have a small collection of Cattleyas. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on about orchids. I think I'm at the point where I know just enough to be dangerous. Several questions keep swirling in my mind.

It seems that the growth of new roots and a new pseudobulb coincide with each other and signal that the Catt is in a growth stage. Do new roots grow on OLD pseudobulbs?

My plants have one or two leaves growing from each pseudobulb. If one of those leaves dies and drops off, will that mature pseudobulb grow another leaf?

If an old pseudobulb dries up and turns brown, should I snip it off or just leave it alone?

[Tobi]

Hi Donkeymom,
I hope i can answer some or all of your questions.

1. Cattleyas have abundant roots. New roots form from the base of the new
pseudobulbs which grow from the thick rhizomes. I don't believe the old
pseudobulbs grow new roots, just an extention of the original ones. The
new roots are a signal as to when repotting should be done. When the
new roots can just be seen and haven't grown too much to the point of
being damaged when you repot, that's the time to repot. At this time the
old roots can be trimmed back without hurting the plant.

2. Catts have 2 distinct groups. Those with one leaf (unifoliate) and those
that have 2 leaves (biofoliate). Occasionally they will shed a back leaf, but
usually they don't lose their leaves. I personally have not had a new leaf
grow on an old pseudobulb, but I not 100% sure if this can happen.

3. As for this question, I'm not sure. I would have to see what the roots
looked like under the pseudobulb that was dried up. Maybe someone else
can answer this for you as I haven't had this happen as yet to me.

[MariahK]

I had an old one turn brown and dry up and I snipped it off mainly for more room and because it looked better. One that I recently go seemes to have had it's leaves clipped off on one pseudobulb and it looks like it is growing new leaves or something? but I am not sure yet, I'll let you know in a few weeks though

[jerrymeola]

Like old hair or nails when they outgrow their need we can cut them off.

If the pseudo-bulb is brown it is good to remove it. The next step is for it to either dry out completely on its own and eventually fall off (no harm) or it becomes a center for rot (very bad).

Old pseudo bulbs do not grow new leaves. They can grow new roots and develop a new growing direction for the rhizome, but not leaves.

New roots grow from the base of new pseudo-bulbs, don't know if this is what you meant. Usually this is the only area of new roots from an actively growing plant. Again rhizome can start to grow from another part of the rhizone in a new direction, and this is where Cattleya are usually split.

I answered your question backwards just to be different. after all all orchids are different in their own ways.

[donkeymom]

Thank you everyone for your answers.

My orchids are in my office, so I look at them frequently. Between my reading and looking at my plants, my mind keeps making up questions. There is such variety in orchids - how exciting.

I put a couple orchid books on my Christmas list. Hope Santa delivers.