Brown Spots on Cattleya Pseudobulb - Orchid Board

mmursuli · #1 08-04-2009, 11:33 PM

Hey there! I'm pretty new to the orchid world, and I need some help. My aunt ripped off a piece of one of her orchids and gave it to me. I'm surprised it's still alive because from what I've read that's not how to go about separating an orchid. Anyhow, I'm pretty sure it's a Cattleya. It has a pretty nice developed pseudobulb, but three days ago I begain seeing brown spots on it. Is this normal? Is it about to bloom? I've attached a photo of it. Thanks in advance for your help!

Keltera · #2 08-05-2009, 07:15 AM

thats no pseudo bulb my dear, that to be appears to be a sheith for a possible bloom? iam a newbi here so lets hear what others will be saying.

Virgil · #3 08-05-2009, 07:27 AM

some sheaths turn brown and flower from a dried sheath, I am afraid that if what I see is true, do you only have one pseudobulb, you may not have enough roots to support the flower, a picture of the whole plant would help,

Swamper · #4 08-05-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keltera

thats no pseudo bulb my dear, that to be appears to be a sheith for a possible bloom? iam a newbi here so lets hear what others will be saying.

Keltera is right, you're about to see a new bloom out from that sheath. The pseudo is on the other end below.
I have a feeling your aunt has been growing orchids for a long time lol.
The brown spots I think are normal. I don't grow anything except vandas. Everything else was given to me and I don't pay enough attention to them to see them develop, so Im not 100% sure what is normal on them.
Oh and welcome, nice to see another Miami, neighbor in the board

mmursuli · #5 08-05-2009, 08:51 AM

LOL. I continued doing some research last night and realized my mistake in calling it the pseudobulb. Thanks you all for all your responses, I really appreciate it. As far as the roots are concerned, they're newbies, healthy and fresh. Virgil, I think you're right, but I hope you're wrong =) -- the plant doesn't have enough roots to support the flower.
I'm going to post new pics in a few of the whole plant. Thanks again!

mmursuli · #6 08-05-2009, 09:27 AM

Here are some pics of the plant and its roots. Let me know what you think. Thanks, again!

mmursuli · #7 08-05-2009, 09:28 AM

I'll also be posting some new pics to my profile of that other plants I have. Feel free to take a look and lend some advice.

Virgil · #8 08-05-2009, 05:24 PM

a bifolete cattleya , with the small club shape of the psedobulb it could be a species . C. skinneri for instance.
I think I can see a good eye , so you should be able to get a good plant from the one bulb. Just takes time, The roots are really good,

mmursuli · #9 08-05-2009, 06:39 PM

Thanks Virgil! Any advice on Miltassia Shelob 'Webmaster' Orchids? I have two photos of it under my albums.

dounoharm · #10 08-05-2009, 07:07 PM

that just goes to show you how tough the orchid is....most of us would cringe at ripping off a piece of orchid like that....and usually yes, you need at least 3 psuedobulbs to make a viable division....viable, thats the key word here....each psuedo bulb has a limited number of growth eyes, and if they are damaged, then the psuedobulb is useless as far as propagation goes, it becomes a storage unit for the plant in general....you must be very careful that nothing happens to your growth eyes or new growths or you will be left with a useless stick....i would say that the plant wont bloom thru this sheath, and will conserve its strength for the new growths, it probably wont bloom on the next new growth either...plants are funny like that, they know what is best for em....gl with your division, but next time, have her give you at least 3 psuedobulbs to ensure you get a viable plant....your roots look very healthy! gl with your new orchid!