Cattleya dowiana

[heroutdoors]

Hi All,
What size plant has the orchid Cattleya Dowiana got to be to flower,
I have a healthy orchid that has not flowered yet,
The size at the moment is 56cm x 56cm growing in a 10cm pot,
It has made considerable growth in the 4 years i have had it,
Do they like their roots restricted?
Thanks Heroutdoors

[tom499]

How much light are you giving it? If its a good size and growing well then lack of light could be an issue.

2nd, using high nitrogen feed can cause plants to grow at the cost of flowering.

Some Catts nights with no lighting throughout. Eg growing the plant in a room where you have the lights on till later than sundown etc.

[heroutdoors]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your reply,
It is in a conservatory-I have today brought it inside home-It needs repotting i think as its roots are over the top of pot

[brookn]

Catts do like to have their roots restricted a bit, recomendations for repotting are when the new growth is just starting. Depending on the mix it is in repotting can be done every one or two years. I agree with Tom, the reason it is not flowering is probably a light issue, you have had it 4 years, it is probably large enough to flower. A little more light will probably do it. If you could tell us the conditions it is in, that would help. Also if you could please update your profile to include your location that would help to get someone to advise you that is growing in a similar climate.

[heroutdoors]

Hi Brookn,
It gets its fair share of light in the conservatory, I am in the UK

[brookn]

Hmm, it may just not be ready yet. I did not see the post about the conservatory when I posted-sorry. When you got it was it a seedling size? It may just not be mature enough.

[heroutdoors]

Hi Brookn,
I shall post a picture soon-It was a seedling when i purchased it,
Thanks

[kmarch]

If it is 56cm x 56cm...that's a good sized plant. That's approximately 20 inches x 20 inches for those of us who don't "read" metric. I know dowiana is a good sized cattleya (dowiana is a species nams by the way, so it should not be capitalized) but gien the info you're supplied I think it would be blooming size. Hmmmm...can you post a pic of the plant?

[tom499]

As a fellow UK'er I would say we havent had the best sun for some time.

What direction does your conservatory face? this far north north or south facing makes quite a difference

[Orchidflowerchild]

C. dowiana needs a prety distinct drier rest, after the new growth hardens off. A bright, dry winter is key. This species is known for being finicky, because it is very seasonal in it's growth, and when overwatered over winter will not flower well, if at all, and is prone to rot and disease.

I'll break out my books and write up a short culture synopsis, later.

-Cj

[heroutdoors]

Hi,
I am having a bit of trouble posting my picture-Any pointers would be much appreciated,
Thanks

[heroutdoors]

Hi All,
I have managed to post a picture in the Gallery

[Tobi]

The plant looks healthy. I found a site with some cultural information which might help

Cattleya dowiana - 17k

[fred]

welcome to the forum
I hope that you enjoy your stay here with us
you will find this link will help you with posting pics
Picture Uploading Info

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

My dowianas were typical sized Catts when they bloomed. Both died from disease. I understand that they like higher than typical Catt light. I have several seedlings now with the largest about blooming size, and have them all at the south end of the GH where the sun is the strongest.

[Orchidflowerchild]

I always grew dowiana with C. warsewiczii, which I grew in Vanda light. THe top SE corner of my old GH had the warsewicziis, aurea (I actually never had a dowiana, only peruvian aureas), and C. Hardyanas. They were all tinged with red and getting about 3200fc. But then, I've always advocated growing cattleyas as hard as possible without them looking all sunbleached and dehydrated. More and better flowers are the wages of higher light.

-Cj