David K wrote:
Hello Everyone ,

I have been reading & picking up tips from this group , but I
have a question now .
I have been bitten by the orchid bug for about a year now , and
having fun , I even had my Cattleya Mossiae bloom this year ,just one
flower and it blew me away , I have been watching my L. Purpurata form a
sheath , and watching the buds inside develop , today the buds (there
are two) seem to be taking up the whole sheath , and there seems to be
no sign of it opening , what will I do ? let Mother Nature do her thing
? or how would I lend a hand ? .

Thanks in advance for any advice .

David

If the buds only filled the sheath today or very recently, I would leave
it alone a little while longer. The tip of the sheath will probably
start to open any minute now.
If you hold it up to the light, see if you can see the flower stems
(from the buds to the base of the sheath). If they are making an S bend
and look like they might kink, then open up the sheath. I don't know if
Laelia purpurata is prone to this problem or not.

Steve