Is this a double sheath ?

[prisana]

I have this Catt that has been in sheath since last winter . I know that some Catts take a while for the buds to emerge , but I'm starting to think this is not a normal growth of a sheath. Is this some kind of defect ? or it's a double sheath and I need to help out with the budding process ?

The pseudobulb is very plump and shiny like it's going to pop soon..but still no bud. The sheaths are so thick that holding it up to the light doesn't reveal anything... What do you guys think ?

[sandra]

Prisana, I know way too little to even make an educated guess but the reason I'm posting is because one of my catts looks exactly the same and I too have wondered. Mine won't bloom till next year, no fat ps.bulbs yet. This is the catt that you helped correct the name, Waianae Leopard 'Ching Hua' (with the strange spotting on some of its leaves). You have one also, don't you? Is this it by chance?

[Tobi]

Prisana,
Because of their mixed genetic crosses, some Catt. alliances will take many
months for the buds to develop inside the sheaths. I have a Lc. that was
in sheath for almost 7 mos. before the buds developed. The sheath started
to dry and turn brown, but I got some beautiful blooms out of them
eventually. Although I have never had any double sheaths, I have heard of
them. I not sure but I think that these will also eventually bloom with time.
So I guess I suggest that you just be patient (as hard as it is sometimes)
and you will hopefully see that excitable little image inside the sheath in
the near future

[prisana]

Sandra, my Waianae Leopard is still missing , all I have left is the tag. This one is Volcano Queen ( blue ) and this will be it's first bloom ( whenever it will decide to bloom ) in 3 years I've had it. Don't know why it's taking so long, since it's receiving the same care as the rest of my catts .

Tobi, thank you for your input, I just can't help but wondering why is not doing much ( it's also been 7 months, like yours ). The sheath has now become a home for this jumping spider that has been there a while . I've heard of some catts that stay unbloomed in the sheath for years..hope mine isn't getting the same idea and makes me wait that long. I'm not sure if this is a double sheath and if a help is neccessary to ease out the buds from the tough sheaths.... I haven't been able to find a pic of double-sheath catts anywhere.. but I will try to be patient Thank you for calming me down.

[Tobi]

Prisana,
The one thing I did learn from my Catts in shealth is that it is best to let
them come out of their sheaths on their own. I had cut the tops of a couple
of them a few years ago because I had read that it helps for their development. Well, both times I experienced bud blast or they stopped
growing entirely. Unless you have a water moisture problem inside the
sheaths, I would let them grow out on their own just like in nature.

[kmarch]

That's very interesting. It looks like it is half leaf and half sheath. These things sometimes happen with complex hybrids so I don't think you have cause for concern.

Be patient with the sheath. I had a Gold Nuggett cross that didn't bloom for about 3 years then (for whatever reason) bloomed all of the back growths at once.I've observed in many many of my orchids, Dens, Catts, Cymbs, Paphs, Coel, that the buds/spikes start out (what to my mind seems) sooooooo slow, but then the closer they get to blooming the faster they grow.

If you wanted, you could do what I always do and go buy an orchid in bloom to help you get through until your Catt blooms.

[prisana]

Kevin, yes..that's what I think it looks like too. Good advice on getting a blooming orchid to look at while waiting. I might also have to meditate...Ommm...

Tobi, I will take your advice and not cut it..I've had the same results cutting the sheath in the past, so I'll let this one go. It just looks so bizzare..