Double sheath on cattleya noid.

[Rosiefuture]

There is a large sheath on one of my cattleya noids. It's quite thick and slightly spongey, almost the texture of a leaf.

The sheath has been getting fatter and been there for quite a while and I could feel the buds inside.

I read on a thread here that you can slit the sheath so I did this a couple of days ago. And inside was another sheath! With the buds inside that!

I also read here that cats can have double sheaths. Can any one tell me why that is?

Marion

[Mahon]

Marion,

I'm not too good on Cattleya, but I would assume a hybrid with an Epidendrum or Encyclia parentage, or perhaps other related genera could yield multiple sheaths. This could be because Encyclia and Epidendrum have sheaths which surround the inflorescence... I'm not too sure though.

Any pictures? Or a name on the plant?

-Pat

[Tindomul]

Sounds like a happy camper Thanks for sharing this info, as I had no idea they could do that![/font]

[smartie2000]

I wouldn't worry too much the buds sound fine, but a photo would help us see it better....

[Shadow]

I'm not sure about the reason too, but the number of sheaths doesn't affect the quality of flowers.

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Shadow

I'm not sure about the reason too, but the number of sheaths doesn't affect the quality of flowers.

I was actually wondering about that. I can see some space issues and trouble getting all the petals to extend fully.

[smartie2000]

Well the other sheaths won't me that large right?
And the column of the blooms should lengthen it so maybe the blooms will open fully

[Rosiefuture]

I will take a pic of it later to show you all. Marion

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

I was actually wondering about that. I can see some space issues and trouble getting all the petals to extend fully.

Hmm.... Strange. Either I'm wrong or you have other problems with growing conditions. I had problems like this (space and petals issues) when air humidity was low.

[Tindomul]

Oh really! Hmmm. I had not realized that humidity could do that. My apartment stays pretty dry for most of the year.