Catts in sheath...

[exasperatus2002]

When your Catt. is in sheath, do you help it out a little and help it split the sheath? Maybe..ok probably its cause Im anxious for this particular flower to bloom but the sheath is full & starting to split. Its the flower Im going to use as a pod parent. Should I help it along or just leave it alone?

[Ellen]

Just leave it alone. The buds will eventually poke their way through. Messing with the sheath won't make it bloom any faster.

[kmarch]

Ellen speaks wisdom. I've never damaged a bud by applying patience. I have by messing with sheaths. Better to be a little more patient than to mess with the sheath.

[flowerchild]

Just leave the sheath alone and the flower will come home!!!!!!

[janice]

I agree with kmarch and Ellen.................be patient. I have a sheath on a Blc. opening now and the buds are popping out very quickly. I would just enjoy the progress and development.

[exasperatus2002]

Ok I left it go and when I went to check on it this morning guess what I saw looking back at me.......

[articuno75]

Woo Hoo! Patience is of virtue

[psyc1210]

That's so exciting!! I have two catts, bought them last summer...and I have been patiently watching them grow a few new growths...no sheaths or anything yet. I'm trying really hard to keep being patient

[flowerchild]

I bought 2 catts, one in march and one in sept of 2007 and both are rewarding me with new growth and one is flowering for the second time since march of 2007. I think that the cattleya family is the one for me woohooo!!!!!

[digitalgate]

careful now, look like a blasted spike. I hope i am wrong

[kmarch]

The bud is a pretty serious yellow colour but that just could also be the colour of the flower or the skewing of the colour by the camera or ambient light. What is the plant's name?

[exasperatus2002]

this is my Guarianthe aurantiaca that Im going to attempt to hybridize with Slc Chia Lin 'New City' AM/AOS. Heres a pic of it the last time it bloomed.

[Ellen]

Exasperatus, that should be a nice cross. Have you checked to see if it's been made before?

[janice]

I love the pictures you posted...........................I have been checking the buds on mine several times a day......................it is IMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be anxious to see the blooms!!!!!!!!

[exasperatus2002]

No this cross hasnt been made before. If the cross takes, Im sure that with the variety between seedlings, Im going to have a hard time deciding which one to have registered. then again maybe not. In a litter of puppies theres always that one that just jumps out at you when you see them for the first time. Ohh the long road Im about to walk down.....

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

careful now, look like a blasted spike. I hope i am wrong

What makes you think the spike blasted and is that same a bud blast? I've never heard of spike blasting before.