Bringing home Cattleya

[sandra]

Hello all. I'm going today to pick up a cattleya I've been eyeing for the last week. I've been reading a lot about them, the problems with scale and am prepared to quarantine. I'm listening Anton! As well, should I give this plant a thorough spray with an anti-fungicide? The plant has 2 large flowers on it with 5 buds and am concerned about the reaction it may have on them. I'm here in South Florida and will place it in indirect (strong but not too strong) sunlight (morning, eastern sun). As well, the nursery grower told me to bring the plant back to her after all blooming where she'll divide the plant into 2. Is it safe to just keep the plant as is, very full or re-pot into 2 smaller pots?

[palito]

why do you want to divide it ?

[sandra]

Here's my new cattleya. As soon as I awoke, I went to look at it and the bud (on right) had bloomed! I may not be able to afford to eat this week because of what I spent on this but, I'm on a diet anyway!!!

Palito, I don't want to divide it. It was suggested to me at the nursery to do so but I don't plan to....just repot it after the flowers die off.

[Anton]

Excellent photos too.

Shows the flower beautifully.

[fred]

thanks for the update Sandra

that is a very nice plant.

its well worth going on the diet for

well worth every cent.

congrats with that.

[sandra]

I've been practicing with your instructions Anton so, the compliment goes back to YOU!

Thanks for backing me up on this one Fred. I went back 3 times...."should I?, shouldn't I?"......... yea, I should have!!!!

[kmarch]

Hi Sandra,

To address your query about spraying new plants and the effect on the flowers. I have a Cattleya hybrid, one of the first 20 or so orchids I ever bought, and when I first brought it home i found it had thrips in the flowers. I was horrified and sprayed the plant including the flowers. As the insecticide dripped form the flowers it took pigment from the petals with it. I was even MORE horrified. Needless to say i lost the flowers very quiclkly. this story has a happy ending however because this plant went on to be the first Cattleya I ever rebloomed and the plant with which i received my first trophy for best in class and my first award from the American Orchid Society (a CCM of 81 pts).

Your flower is beautiful (and your pic does it justice) and even if the spraying does damage the flowers you can grow it on to possibly even better blooms in the future.

Now as many on this forum probably already know, I am not a fan of dividing plants unless there is a compelling reason. With as beautiful as yur flowers are (really quite good form and nice clear colours) can you imagine in a couple of years' time when you have twice as many flowers? This plant has the potential of making an amazing display. For this reason I wold encourage you to not divide it and let it get bigger. In the very near future (if left undivided), it could very well be in there for a ribbon or trophy at a show.

Congrast first on yoru photo competition award, secondly on your lovely new cat...er Cat.

Cheers!

[fred]

Sandra I do the same thing

When I walk away I think to myself just may be I can go on a diet for a week or two then i go back to the plant no that is to long with out food blow it yes i can.

I live with this motto
when I see an outstandig orchid and I have the money the orchid will come home with me.

somtimes its the only way to get the good orchids.

[sandra]

Kevin,

Thanks soooo much for everything you've said here. I've decided not to divide this plant. I just want to make sure I do everything right for it. The nursery lady told me not to use fungicide on it now. She checked it for scale and other disease and told me to just wait until the flowers die off. What do you think? And when I do start treating it, is there anything in particular you suggest I use? I plan to fertilize it weakly every other watering.

I'd love to see photos of your catts....can you/would you post some? Also, the one you mentioned winning the award for? Wow Kevin, I feel honored with everything you've said to me, from someone with a keen eye of orchids. I know this plant is beautiful but I think all orchids are and really can't distinguish yet what makes one more incredible than the others. As far as I'm concerned, the size and color have what's done it for me here. 8 flowers will be on this plant when they've all bloomed. I feel like I picked a winner, indeed!

Thanks again Kevin and would love to see your photos.

P.S. What are "thrips?"