Two questions to Cattlianthe growers

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I think I've read somewhere that they bloom from the second-to-last growths, which are the ones I've shown in the photos above (they started to grow last April 2017).
But I think the youngest growths are also blooming. At least I can see the buds inside as well and the sheath bases are swollen. If tha's the case, then I'll have four growths in bloom.
Let's hope for the best.

Most often,mine bloom from the most recent mature growth,

[rbarata]

I don't know why but it seems I have two grow cycles growths blooming.
I remember when I bought it it was in bloom but less than 2 months later it bloomed again. Maybe it's like this, two blooming times in one blooming season.

[Roberta]

Sometimes, when two plants with different bloom times are crossed, you end up with twice a year bloomng (and rooting and growing) Sometimes they end up doing it once, at a time intermediate between the times for the parents. The more complex the hybrid, the more you just have to see what it does. (Species mostly have once-a-year bloom times though there are a few exceptions, once one starts mixing them up, there are all sorts of possibilities)

[rbarata]

Sometimes, when two plants with different bloom times are crossed, you end up with twice a year bloomng (and rooting and growing)

There's something I didn't know.
Obviously it is difficult to identify a hybrid without a tag but maybe this can be used to discard some species or hybrids from being one of the parents. At least it may allow to downsize the possibilities.

[Roberta]

Bloom time is so variable, I wonder how much it could be used for determining or eliminating parents, especially once one gets beyond primary hybrids (two species) . I think with a NOID, observe it to determine care (such as repotting time when roots just start to show) and beyond that, just enjoy.

[rbarata]

I was just thinking out loud.

[rbarata]

Good news!
The buds finally cracked the dry sheath.
It looks awful, looking at it one could say what's in there it's dead.
I also suspect that it alternates blooming between bifoliate and unifoliate pbs. Something to monitor.

[Roberta]

I suggest opening up the sheath - looks like the bud could be OK. (sometimes the bud can have a second sheath around it, too) The only downside of opening up a sheath at this point is that you may have to add support to the developing flower (since the sheath otherwise tends to help do that) But with the bud coming out that far down on the sheath, I think not an issue anyway. Could very well be that the two inflorescences are following the tendency of different parents.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I suggest opening up the sheath - looks like the bud could be OK. (sometimes the bud can have a second sheath around it, too) The only downside of opening up a sheath at this point is that you may have to add support to the developing flower (since the sheath otherwise tends to help do that) But with the bud coming out that far down on the sheath, I think not an issue anyway.

During the last week the buds, not only inside the dry sheat, are growing really fast, one can almost see a difference from day to day. I understand your sugestion but, although I have opened sheaths in the past, I don't like to do it. As someone said, a plant is healthy doesn't need any help from us humans.
I'll keep monitoring to see if the buds keep pushing and ripping the sheath.
The position where it was ripped is the same in older sheaths (yes, I keep them attached to the plant) so I think thisis normal behaviour.

I'll update this when something new happens.

Could very well be that the two inflorescences are following the tendency of different parents.

Yes, that's what I am thinking too. This might also explain why it had two blooming seasons so close from each other.

[rbarata]

Update on this one...

It seems the four sheaths (two oldest growths plus two new growths) are going to bloom in the same season.
The rot & dry looking sheath seems to be the first.
Usually there's 3 flowers per sheath so, if everything goes ok, I'll have 12 flowers.