Finally.....

**sandra** · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 08:51 PM

When Autumn appeared, the sunlight on my patio disappeared. Last month (somewhat late in the game), I hung most of my Cattleyas on one of the palm trees in front of the house, south/west exposure. I have to admit that I haven't been giving them the attention I would have if they had remained on the patio. I've watered them a couple of times a week but also neglected them in that I didn't make sure their exposures to this new bright light be gradual. I was disillusioned and basically pretty much, ignored them.

Well, looky here.....2 buds. They were receiving the rainfalls over the past week and I hadn't bothered checking them until today. Some of the leaves on this Catt. never fully developed, assuming because of the lack in light prior to their new location. I've also just noticed 4 ps.bulbs on this one, growing.

So in conclusion, the eastern exposure in my growing space, in autumn and winter are just not strong enough to grow Catts.

patticake · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 09:14 PM

Oh Sandra!!! How nice! Those buds are nice & plump! I can't wait to see them in bloom! How lucky you are to be able to grow outdoors. Thanks for the treat!

kmarch · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 09:15 PM

Nice growing Sandra. New buds are exciting! I'm also glad to see that you qualified "in my growing space" your comment about cattleyas in eastern exposures as many eastern exposures will have enough light to bloom many types of catts.

We can't wait to see the blooms!

patlee · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 09:44 PM

What a nice surprise

You must have been" lovingly" ignoring them...

Just out of curiosity (I'll never need to do this), how do you hang an orchid from a palm tree? My mother is in Fla. and she might need to know someday

She's great at ignoring her plants,too!! It would be nice if she had your success...Those buds are a real incentive.

pikevi · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 10:12 PM

I wish I were in Florida!

Nothing like looking at plants outdoors! Especially when are hanging from other plants.

Congrats. on the blooms

BunnytheOrchid · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 01:45 AM

The "lovingly ignoring" technique has some wisdom to it

Its the only way I can grow my echeverias

Maybe orchids like a little alone time too hehe

Tobi · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 11:32 AM

I knew you could do it!! Hooray, now you can show me those pretty Catts of yours.

**Vivienne** · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 11:35 AM

YEAH Sandra! I'm so happy for you. I know those Catts have been giving you attitude in the past.

Can't wait to see the blooms!!

prisana · #9 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 12:43 PM

Wooohoo ! Don't you love surprises ? It's lovely, looks like it's got enough light to me..good growing Sandra..

**sandra** · #10 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobi

I knew you could do it!! Hooray, now you can show me those pretty Catts of yours.

Tobi, you were the first person I thought of when I saw those buds. I knew you'd be proud of me.

Vivienne, Attitude.....perfect description!

**articuno75** · #11 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 01:45 PM

Woo hoo! Another one for the bloom list! Way to go, I mean grow.

exasperatus2002 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 01:56 PM

I guess ignorance is bliss!! atleast when it comes to your Catts. Now my customers on the other hand, are a nuisence when ignorant (Im a csr for the cable co.)

**brookn** · #13 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 02:34 PM

Congratulations, and good growing. I knew you could do it

chefatplay · #14 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 06:12 PM

Sandra, you certainly have a way with orchids. How beautiful. I'm so glad to see your results.

NancyG · #15 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 10:22 PM

Sandra,

Nice buds! How much light are they getting now. I have some Catts and they are getting the east/west light mostly in the morning and afternoon but not producing any buds yet (even thought I look at them twice a day). Most of my space is under a veranda or hanging under palms or trees and I don't want to just put them in the middle of the backyard because that would be full sun all day. Just wondering how much light you increase to get results??

Thanks,
NancyG

**sandra** · #16 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 10:45 PM

Ellen, I'm going to start referring to you as the great Houdini, the way you keep disappearing. What, you have better things to do....like getting ready for a new second grandson or something, huh?

NancyG, the light has been the biggest issue I've had with these Catts. I've had all of them on my patio since last Spring, also east/northwest light which was great until autumn happened and the sun shifted. The light intensity completely diminished and I very soon noticed they weren't happy about it. Some of the leaves that were growing, stopped all growth. I had one Catt. with 2 sheaths which produced these puny inflorescence, and buds that dried up quickly. Just last month I bought some hangers and put about 10 or more on 2 palm trees in the front of the house. I have them facing south/west now and was very careless, inconsiderate of placing them there, too drastic a change, from no light to bright light and not gradual. A few leaves suffered with burn marks but overall, they seem fine now and have adjusted. So Nancy, I went from virtually, very little light to very intense light with the only shield being the tree they're under.

exasperatus2002, big fat LOL. Are you allowed to carry a stun-gun on the job?

Kevin, I don't know about 'nice growing' with the Catts. but definitely, improved growing, huh!

Thanks everybody else for the congratulations!

evagentry · #17 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 02:07 AM

Sandra, I was just thinking yesterday about your trials with your catts, I am happy for you that they are doing better, just as an encouragement, through your trials I have a better understanding of how important it is to understand our conditions before we buy.

chefatplay · #18 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 07:29 AM

Alas, you're right, Sandra, I'm not around much lately. It's just the season all around me. However, I promise to try harder. Do you forgive me?

Hopefully, now that the time has changed, I will have time after work to take some pictures of my chids. I have two blooming vandas, one in bud, and, GET THIS, two spiking phals for sure and one that I am probably sure, but have to wait for them to get a little bigger. Considering I didn't think I would even have any plants left, not bad. I wish you were closer so you could baby sit. Oh, I've also got a terrestrial orchid yesterday. NOID, but really cute. The flowers bloom out in a small ball like an Ixoria with a bunch of tiny vermillion colored blooms on it. Another picture to take. I've also given the orchid bug to my daughter. 6 1/2 months pregnant, mother of a 16 month old and the proud owner of 4 Dends and 1 Catt. She is sure she likes the Catts the best.

**sandra** · #19 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evagentry

Sandra, I was just thinking yesterday about your trials with your catts, I am happy for you that they are doing better, just as an encouragement, through your trials I have a better understanding of how important it is to understand our conditions before we buy.

That's what this is all about evagentry. Just when you think you've got it down right, something comes along and says, "wanna bet?" In my particular case, the eastern light I was able to provide was not enough year round which is imperative to good growing. While it will be suggested that some medium light Catts can grow in eastern light, we should never assume that the eastern light we can provide, will necessarily be enough.

**sandra** · #20 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evagentry

Sandra, I was just thinking yesterday about your trials with your catts, I am happy for you that they are doing better, just as an encouragement, through your trials I have a better understanding of how important it is to understand our conditions before we buy.

That's what this is all about evagentry. Just when you think you've got it down right, something comes along and says, "wanna bet?" In my particular case, the eastern light I was able to provide was not enough year round which is imperative to good growing. While it will be suggested that some medium light Catts can grow in eastern light, we should never assume that the eastern light we can provide, will necessarily be enough.

Great lesson learned!

exasperatus2002 · #21 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:28 AM

[quote=sandra;58170]exasperatus2002, big fat LOL. Are you allowed to carry a stun-gun on the job?

QUOTE]

lol No. I even have a carry & conceal permit but they say because we're only a few blocks away from the local state police barracks, we cant pack at work. But they just upgraded the security system (went from night alarm to key card entry, I feel so much safer now especially with the international airport across the street and army reserve post. Can anyone say target rich environment?). You'd be suprised about some of the stuff people complain about, even when its their own doing.