Cracked pseudobulbs..

[prisana]

I've been away for a while , building my new orchid bench..good to be back. I have been having problems with one catt that has pseudobulbs that get so plump and then they just crack.. It's the only one catt that's doing it , also it should be blooming by now, but it hasn't ( about 3 years old ). I don't know if I should worry or if it's something that happens occationally. I just want to make sure I'm not dealing with a strange disease or anything like that. Appreciate any help I can get.

[kmarch]

Dear prisana,

I do not know for sure what causes the cracking or splitting. I have been told it is caused by very fast growth. I have a big Cattleya whos pseudobulbe occasionally split. It has never interrupted the growing or blooming cycle and the plant remains healthy.

when you say the plant is 3 years old, do you meen it is a near blooming size seedling or do you mean you've been growing and blooming it for 3 years?

-Kevin

[prisana]

kmarch, Thanks for your quick response.. I bought it as a large seedling a little over 2 years ago , so it should be blooming by now. Do you think it's because it's growing too fast ? Maybe I fatten it up too much for it to bloom ? It does seem like it's just putting up new growths ( it has 5 leads ) but no flowers . Other catts are getting the same treatment and most of the seedlings in my collection have already bloomed for me ... this one ( the oldest ) is just old and stubborn I guess.

[kmarch]

What kind of Cattleya is it? Species? Hybrid? If hybrid, what is the name or cross?

Some Cattleyas are shy bloomers.

-K

[prisana]

Hi Kevin, It's a Blc. Volcano Blue 'Volcano Queen' , a hybrid , not sure of the exact cross except the Brassavola , Laelia, and Catt part ...sorry..not a very good mom here . It's probably a result of countless crosses that ended in something totally "freaky" I've seen a picture of it's flowers before but it's not a very popular one I assume , wonder why. I'm just going to give it more sun..shy or not maybe it will do the trick..you think?

[Ellen]

Maybe try cutting back a little on the water and, as you say, give the plant more light. Put it somewhere where it will be just short of getting sunburned and see if that makes it bloom for you.

[kmarch]

I asked what the cross was because some Cattleya species, like aclandiae can be reluctant to bloom. However, I don't think your hybrid contains aclandiae. Some have suggested light and water changes. It's possible that the plant is still another 1 or 2 years away from being mature enough to bloom.

Happy Growing.

[prisana]

Thanks guys, it's in a big pot because it's such a big plant, I guess it didn't get a chance to dry out enough before being watered again ( I water them all at the same time ) , I'll water less to see what happens. There is water restriction down here from lack of rain , it couldn't have come in a better time....I would just have no choice but to water less.. Thanks again