Cattleyas

[elitebettas]

I have many cattleyas, but one problem with all. It seems that new growth matures but with no sheath at all. They all (on different plants both growing outside on my patio and indoor on windowsill) mature to a point of having a little nubb at the very top, but no sheath. If they do have a sheath they range from 1cm to about half an inch? What's going on? I know hybrids can do this sometimes but all i know are capable of producing sheaths. Will these nubbs (instead of sheaths) activate and produce a spike and buds one day? Lots of mature new growth but nothing-maybe as day light lengthens they will?

[Bolero]

I should be careful how I answer this but I have some cattleya hybrids that produce sheaths and some that produce the nub. It depends on what is in the background of the plant. But I have plenty of plants that produce buds without a sheath. I can't say for sure if you have those but give it time. How much light do they get and for how long?

I find light is the main factor in flowering Catt's (I don't know what your knowledge is like to forgive me if you already know this). Do they get direct shaded light or indirect light?

[NancyG]

I was having the same problem. I moved my Catts to a sunnier location and two have already bloomed and two more are producing future blooms. They get some direct light and some filtered light but I probably increased the light by 2-3 more hours a day.

NancyG

[elitebettas]

Thanks guys,
The ones in the window sill get excellent morning to early afternoon light, indirect. I've just never seen them bloom from a nub, it's usually either from a sheath, or as the bulb matures it goes right into spike without a sheath. I'll follow your suggestions and try and move them to get alittle longer daylight

[Tobi]

The green shealths on Catts. are produced on the new growth. If the plant has not
fully completed it growth cycle during this time, the buds can appear with an incomplete
sheath, or no sheath at all.