New growths on Lc Rojo

[Maba]

Hello helpful orchid experts!

I decided to ask for advice on my Lc. Rojo. I am attaching a pic to show you what I mean. This plant was recently acquired from another hobbyist. It has 10 pbulbs and was in flower when I got it.

As you can see, the growths are twisty and far apart (I'm comparing to my other catt type plants). There is new growth occurring, but it is only at 2 points on the outside of the pot.

If I understand correctly, my only hope of blooms next year is on the newest growth, and it doesn't seem there is much of that. Is there any way to encourage the plant to put on some new growth in the center of the pot where things are so gangly and scant? TIA

Maba

[jerrymeola]

Cattleyas only grow in one direction along the rhizome. There is nothing you can do to encourage center growth as this would be abnormal for the plant.

You should be happy that the plant split into two growing sections when it hit the wall of the pot (another reason to let cats be pot bound). Effectively the orchid now grows as two plants and will produce flowers out of both sections. Sometimes the plant will then grow along the outside of the pot circling back on itself.

To improve the look of the plant you can re-pot it. When you re-pot Cattleyas you always push the plant all the way up to the side of the pot with the new growing sections in the middle of the pot. This allows them to grow toward the empty section of the pot.

When the orchid gets too large and the center totally stops growing the only thing you can do is to divide the plant.

[poeteye]

Dear MABA,
You can cut the rhizome, leaving three growths together in each section. In this way your plant will produce new growths and bloom from each section. It is not necessary to completely cut through the rhizome, however. Slicing 2/3 of the way through with a new razorblade is sufficient. Never cut an orchid with a tool that has been used to cut another plant unless you run the blade through a flame to sterilize it.