A Cattleya nobilior’s Perception of Season

[Vincent]

After a Cattleya nobilior is brought from Brazil to the United States, I guess it will at least temporarily think that our summer is winter and vice-versa. Will it adjust to reversed seasonal conditions, or should its dry-winter period be replicated in our summer to coincide with conditions in Brazil?

[fotofashion]

Please excuse me if this doesn't help but here is my experience with a plant brought from Australia. In this case the plant is a Crinum that is in the Amaryllis family. I put it into a pot because I did not know, either, if it would adapt right away to our conditions. I live on the Texas Gulf Coast near Houston. I put the plant in the GH the first two winter seasons but this last winter I left it outside with the rest of my potted Crinums. It survived the rather cold winter and just finished blooming. So, in this case, the plant appears to have adapted to our reversed seasons. I would assume yours will too in time.
Beverly A.

[BrianMonk]

Regardless of how you water it, your plant will probably take at least two seasons to adjust. Things such as photoperiod and temperature cannot be adequately replicated, even if watering can. Sometimes, however, decreasing water supply in these species (walkeriana, loddigesii, etc) can induce root formation, which will help the adjustment.

[Vincent]

Thanks for the responses. This is my first nobilior, and I haven't been quite sure about how what kind of culture to start off with or what to expect from the plant after that. It has a swelling at the base of the youngest pseudobulb where new growth will appear, but seems to have no intention of initiating new growth at this time. It's done absolutely nothing in the three weeks since I've had it.

I guess I should just keep the plant somewhat dry and comfortable until fall and be looking for a readjustment to our seasons over the long term (provided I keep it alive long term).

[ChrisATX]

Originally Posted by Vincent

Thanks for the responses. This is my first nobilior, and I haven't been quite sure about how what kind of culture to start off with or what to expect from the plant after that. It has a swelling at the base of the youngest pseudobulb where new growth will appear, but seems to have no intention of initiating new growth at this time. It's done absolutely nothing in the three weeks since I've had it.

I guess I should just keep the plant somewhat dry and comfortable until fall and be looking for a readjustment to our seasons over the long term (provided I keep it alive long term).

Vincent, how are you growing it? Is this a seedling? NBS? Amaliae or tipo?

In general, keep it bright and warm, but take care not to burn. Keep it watered enough to prevent excessive bulb shriveling or root die back.

[Vincent]

Hi Chris - It's a division from a mature tipo consisting of four backbulbs, two with leaves and two without. Even the two with leaves look pretty old, but the rhizome still has some good roots.

My guess that it would not initiate growth this season was wrong. A new lead started emerging a few days ago. Maybe that’s because the division had been cut recently and/or maybe because our temperatures are higher than what it was used to. In any case, I’m supporting the growth effort with more water and nutrients.

The plant is in an 8-inch wooden basket with a loose, airy mixture of coarse fir bark and chopped Epiweb. It's situated outside to get as much direct sunlight as it’s comfortable with, as indicated in the leaves. At this point, I’m treating it like a walkeriana. (They grow beautifully here and don’t seem to mind the summer heat of South Central Texas.)