Sheath turning dark

[Tommy]

Hello all
Have a question to ask about my Christ Church Orchid,it bloomed well last year but not yet this year. it has put up a sheath but i has turned
dark on the tip and maybe an inch or so down.plant looks pretty good should i cut it off or not don't want to harm it. Thanks Tommy

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I am assuming this is a Cattleya. Turning brown is OK if the tissue is not damp. Some Catts will produce buds inside a dry sheath. However, if this sheath is damp or wet, you must open the sheath. Grab hold of the dead tissue such that you have hold of the two sides of the sheath, one in each hand, and pull apart. This is usually easy with the dead material since it is soft. If you can't get hold of it as described, pinch the sheath across the wide direction, and it should warp open. But, what ever you do, do not cut into live tissue with an unsterilized tool or handle any raw edges of live tissue with your hands. Once the two halves of the sheath have been separated, there is nothing more you need do. If the buds start to form, they will not rot in the wet tissue of the sheath. I personally have never seen the rot in sheaths translate into the plant proper. It is usually a kind of senescense thing for the sheath only. Somehow it gets its timing mixed up. Good luck, Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[jerrymeola]

cattleya sheats do not always develope. Try to leave the sheat on as opening it can cause damage to the developing bud or if the bud is not started it can prevent the bud from forming. It is the plants natural protection for the flower bud.

If it is rotting you do not have a choice and saving the bud is unlikely. I save only 1 in 10 if the sheat rots, fortunately it is not very common. Also if the bud dies I find the plant is quicker to form a new pseudobulb and flower.

I have this problem usually when a plant is developing a bud earlier than normal in the season and the weather is too variable. This is probably why I can sometimes get a second bud before the flowering season ends.

[Tommy]

Thanks for your advice it is a Cattleya,beautiful White. really appreciate your advice. Tommy