Cattleya and Asconopsis help

[Medelia]

I finally got to repot my Mom's Cattleya a few days ago and to my horror, the entire root ball was either dead or rotten. So me and my friend had to cut everything off and we repotted it loosely in sphag with coco chips and river rocks at the bottom. (it is very top heavy)

What I want to know is, is there a way to save it?

As for my Asconopsis, when I got it, it had very few good roots left, so here too it was repotted loosely in sphag. But it doesn't seem to get better at all, the few good roots it had seem to be dying off and the leaves are showing signs of stress.

So, is there anything I could do to save this little guy?

[rschluss]

My experience is that cattleyas tend to be pretty hardy plants. Healthy-but-rootless pseudobulbs will rapidly produce healthy roots when put in the right environment. I put the three I have in s/h a month ago and they have new roots coming out all over.

[Irene]

I stuck a rootless catt in S/H and now it has lovely roots and new growth.

[LouisW]

If the Catt shows signs of new growth, then its a matter of time (faster than you think) untill it grows a sustainable root system. When my Catt starts rooting it gos all out and grows roots like crazy! Plus Catts are very tough and will last a astoundingly long time with no roots.

I have not experience with your Asconopsis so couldnt tell you on that one.

[sruane]

I grow my Asconopsis in coconut husk chips, it seems happy and is currently spiking. If mine was in trouble the way you described, I would probably put it into a pot very loosely potted with either terra cotta chunks, hydroton, loose moss, or even nothing, spray the roots/base (or soak) with water and superthrive every few days, and keep the whole thing covered with a baggie to retain humidity in a warm and not too bright area (no direct sun).

I've had my Asconopsis for almost a year and it's done well. However, the hybrid I have at least (Irene Dobkin) is notorious for being very tempermental and sometimes doing very well for a few years and suddenly dieing with no warning. Since it's a somewhat strange cross between Phal. and Ascocentrum, it may not be extremely hardy. So if it seems reluctant, it may have more to do with the cross and less with your culture. The only 2 Asconopsis I see offered are Irene Dobkin and Jiaho's Orange. What Asc. do you have?

Good luck!

[Medelia]

It's an Asconopsis Jiaho's Orange.

THank you everyone for giving me hope about my mom's Cattleya