Orchid Update!!! ..
Take A Look At Our Cattleya Orchid .. She is quite happy and doing well in her spot by the door. It has been a while since I have attempted an "Orchid Update" post, primarily due to the lack of time and partially due to the fact I am still in morning over the loss of several of our Phalaenopsis Orchids. But time heals all, as we are slowly finding out again, after the passing of Molly. Time. She is a friend and an enemy to us all.
There's Our Little Jewel Box Orchid .. On the far right, happy in her place with the rest of the Orchids and plant life. I have mentioned this several times before, but the plants love this spot due to the ample amount of sunlight that pours through the glass doors. The Cattleya Orchids need medium to high amounts of light, so this spot suits her. I have considered a grow light of some sort for my light loving species, but haven't decided to do that yet.
This Orchid Is Nice and Compact .. Taking up minimal room and keeping nicely inside the confines of her pot. There are currently 4 pseudobulbs that make up the plant, with one on the way. The plant appears to be liking its location and care, and shows us by continuing to push out new root growth and a new pseudobulb. This is the first new pseudobulb since we brought her home from the Orchid farm, where she was cut from her 'Mother Plant'.
(New pseudobulb seen in the photo below, bottom right pushing out of the pot)
The Orchid Currently Has One Flower Sheath .. When we purchased the plant, the Orchid farmer told us there were three flower sheaths. A flower sheath is a leaf like growth that sits at the very top of a pseudobulb, indicating that the Orchid will bloom from that particular pseudobulb when the time is right (when it is in season -- February through May). The farmer also mentioned that the flower sheaths may die off due to being shocked by the removal of the pseudobulbs from the original mother plant. He was spot on right. Two out of the three died off and turned brown.
(In the photo below, one light green flower sheath can be seen at the tip of a pseudobulb.)
(Below left, is one of the dead flower sheaths, and in the right side photo is where a flower stalk once grew)
Now We Wait ..
We will continue to care for our little Cattleya Orchid .. As she continues to grow and evolve into a more mature plant. A grow light may be needing if she doesn't bloom this spring. A beautiful, odorless red flower, if I forgot to mention that above. I will try to find a photo of it if I can and post it below. The Orchid farmer sent one home with us since he knew the flower sheaths may die off and it could be a while until new pseudobulbs would grow and produce flowers. It was a nice gesture.
We Got Lucky Though
One Flower Sheath Remains And We Are Still Hopeful.
The Cattleya's Bloom
Poem by BDMiller
In the quiet hush of the moonlit room,
A Cattleya Orchid in anticipation looms.
Its slender stem, a graceful ballet,
Whispers of petals yet to sway.
In pots of promise, it patiently resides,
Green leaves unfurling like delicate guides.
The dance of time in petals enclosed,
A secret story yet to be exposed.
Water drops kiss its leaves in gentle embrace,
As we wait for the bloom, the elegant chase.
Buds, like promises, tightly secure,
A floral sonnet, a love demure.
Sunrise whispers secrets to the bud's cocoon,
Promising a spectacle, a radiant boon.
In the quiet corners of our eager gaze,
Hopeful hearts caught in a floral maze.
As weeks tiptoe by, a slow waltz of time,
The Cattleya Orchid, a blossom sublime.
Each day a chapter in the unfolding tale,
We, the audience, our patience set sail.
Then, one dawn, as the sun ascends,
Petals unfurl, a symphony commends.
The Cattleya blooms, a triumph of wait,
In splendor beauty, a delicate fate.
A dance of colors, a ballet so grand,
In our hearts, the blooms forever stand.
For in the art of waiting, we find,
The Cattleya's bloom, a love entwined.