Why my cattleya leave turned winkle?

[Iris Tan]

Hi to everyone, I'm new in this forum and I just started my hobby planting orchid. Last week, I brought a pot of white cattleya with flower. The next day, I found some insects running here and there. I ran the pot with tape water to clear the insects but no use. So the following day, I repotted the plant. I realised some roots turn black so I trimed the roots. I don't dare to water the plant but just splink some water on the roots because its look dry. Now the old leaves turn winkle and started to turn colour to lighter green. Anyone know what happen? Is it becouse of dehydrate? What should I do? Thank you....

[kmarch]

I think you need to pot your cattleya up and give it excellent cattleya conditions. If you do not have a cattleya culture sheet get one from this forum (Orchid Care section) or form AOS | Members Only Area.

[digitalgate]

Hmmm, difficult to visualize what problem you have. It seem have insect that is harmless to the plant. Black root can be due injuries sustain during repotting process. If the leave turn crumble it is because you have expose it to direct sunlight which is too strong for the plant. First you need to know how much light is on the plant.

Let do a light test. Put your hand 30cm away from the paper. Do you have a distinct shadow? If you have a fuzzy shadow, then you have perfect condition for the plant. If you dont see a distinct shadow , then the light is too dim for the plant.
You are free for the Singapore Garden festival? I will be exhibiting about my garden on 19 July. It is a week day dont know if that convenient.

[Bolero]

I agree with Kevin. I would think that the roots were like that when you bought it, I could be wrong but it's likely.

The leaves are wrinkled because the plant isn't getting enough water due to the poor roots (likely). So you need to give it good culture as per the link Kevin gave you and in time the roots will develop again and the leaves will improve.

Good Luck, let us know how you go.

Welcome to the forum!!!

[Iris Tan]

Thank you very much for all your advised. I normally only use the morning sun from 8am to 11am. Not sure is that enough light for them...I'm not free but will try to go Singapore Garden festival

[Anisa]

Welcome to the forum. If you arent watering but only splashing it with water it it could be suffering from dehydration. Or the roots are so bad that they cant take any water. Good luck and I hope your cattleya is better soon.

[Iris Tan]

I attached some photo of the plant. I realised there are 2 black spots behind the leave. Anyone can tell me what happen? Is it too much sunlight or anything?

[berniep]

G'Day Iris

Looks like it needs a good drink, that's if it has good roots to drink with! If you haven't downloaded the culture sheet Kmarch was talking about do so and follow it. In the mean time you have it in a clay pot, so that will dry out more quickly, and would be interested to know what type potting media you are using? Dip the whole thing in a bucket of water and leave it there for 10 or 15 minutes to saturate the pot and the plant. Let us know how you go.

Cheers
Bernie

[Yiu Lin]

Hi Iris,
It looks like your cattelya is grown in charcoal? This doesn't retain moisture very well so you need to increase your watering schedule if you plan to leave them in the same potting mixture.
Agree with Bernie that you need to submerge the plant in water, so that it can hydrate itself. I usually soak my cattelyas in a bucket overnight and do this once or twice a week. Then on most days I'll mist the leaves thoroughly.
As for the 2 black spots, it looks a bit like mechanical damage to me. Hopefully nothing to worry about here.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Iris Tan

I normally only use the morning sun from 8am to 11am. Not sure is that enough light for them...

That light should be good for your cattleya.

Originally Posted by Iris Tan

I attached some photo of the plant. I realised there are 2 black spots behind the leave. Anyone can tell me what happen? Is it too much sunlight or anything?

Your plant is severely dehydrated. I doubt a good soak alone will bring it back. You also need to give it good culture. Even then some of the older leaves may not completely plump back up. As some have said, if you want to keep it in a super dry mix like you appear to have it in, you'll need to water it a lot more often. It also looks like a lot fo your roots are dried out pretty severely too. Once you've given the plant a good soak you should be able to tell if the roots are alive or not. If they are, good. You're on your way. If they are dead the recovery will take longer.

[Iris Tan]

Originally Posted by berniep

G'Day Iris

Looks like it needs a good drink, that's if it has good roots to drink with! If you haven't downloaded the culture sheet Kmarch was talking about do so and follow it. In the mean time you have it in a clay pot, so that will dry out more quickly, and would be interested to know what type potting media you are using? Dip the whole thing in a bucket of water and leave it there for 10 or 15 minutes to saturate the pot and the plant. Let us know how you go.

Cheers
Bernie

Thanks Bernie. I will do soak it later then post the photo again. I'm using charcoal.....

Iris Tan

[Iris Tan]

Thanks for all your adviced. These photos are after I soaked for 10 minutes. I actually trimmed the roots last week when repotting. Hope this will help..... . Do I need to cut away the flower spike after it drop or wait for the spike to dry up itself. Thanks again...



Iris

[berniep]

G'Day Iris Tan

Seems to be some good roots in there, but a few dead ones. I have never grown in just charcoal, usually mixed with some coco bark and perlite. It will dry out very quickly in just charcoal so will need watering regularly. If the flower is finished cut right back to base. Always put sulfur or cinnamon where you cut to seal it off.

Cheers
Bernie

[Iris Tan]

Thanks Bernie

[digitalgate]

on the front pseudobulb has good root. The rest of the roots has rotted . So having good amount of sunlight is very important. Minimum 4.5 hours of sunlight (not direct sunlight) unless it is morning sun.

[Iris Tan]

Thanks Digitalgate, do you think i should water this plant everyday?

[nheidar]

I would water it every day, or at least every other day. Because it is in charcoal (and because it is summer and hot out), it will dry out very easily. It is very dehydrated, so watering it very often will do it some good. you can soak it, as you did before, or pour water into it until you see water come out the bottom. It's no problem if you miss a few days, but the more frequently you water it, the better its chances are of surviving. This is from my experience, at least.

[digitalgate]

I doubt so, reach for the media and feel if it dry. Then you water the plant.

[Iris Tan]

Originally Posted by nheidar

I would water it every day, or at least every other day. Because it is in charcoal (and because it is summer and hot out), it will dry out very easily. It is very dehydrated, so watering it very often will do it some good. you can soak it, as you did before, or pour water into it until you see water come out the bottom. It's no problem if you miss a few days, but the more frequently you water it, the better its chances are of surviving. This is from my experience, at least.

Thanks, I water the plant everyday. Maybe will try to soak it again. The front leave seen ok. But the old leaves still very dehydrate. Not sure whether is it because I put too strong fertilizer (too much fertilizer when dilute with water.) 1ml of fertilize with 200ml of water.

[digitalgate]

you can forget about the back leaf, you cannot soak to restore. However , if you leave it in the rain . It will probably restore the pulb ( not the leave). I would cut the old dead root away.

[Iris Tan]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

you can forget about the back leaf, you cannot soak to restore. However , if you leave it in the rain . It will probably restore the pulb ( not the leave). I would cut the old dead root away.

Hi Digitalgate, you mean I should leave it in the rain?

[digitalgate]

you can, it restore the pseudobulb far better than soaking. Experience counts. but after that you have to spray fungicides.

[Iris Tan]

Ok. Thanks for your advised.

[Iris Tan]

Hi everyone, i leave my in the rain for 30 mins. Now my plant started to grow baby roots. Does the means it can survive?

[Ochin@]

Yes, any new growth is good sign!

[11Orchid126]

It also looks as if your plant is too high. The rhyzome should be riding on top of the medium, half in, half out. From the picture, it looks as if your rhyzome isn't even touching the medium.

[digitalgate]

Yes, that is a very very good sign. Try not to move the plant too much. They like to stay in same spot for months

[Iris Tan]

Ok. Thanks for all your advised.

[digitalgate]

do visit some farms or hobbist grower and see how they grow. It help to enjoy the growing process.

[Iris Tan]

Hi Digitalgate, which farm you go?

[digitalgate]

you can try Wai Rong farm as it is closer to you. Seletar farmway,
wen leng, Song - all in sungei tengah, Koh Keng Hoe Nursery - Dunearn Road.

[Iris Tan]

Ok. Thank Digitalgate.