Is there any hope for my Laelia?

[OttPam]

First of all, I must say how much I am enjoying the Forum, and that people here are so helpful to us newbies. I've picked up lots of tips and know that my orchids will benefit from the information.

Here's my question. I have a Laelia Lucasiana that I bought at our local Society show about a year ago. It was planted in spagnum and was very healthy. It's been declining (or at least I think it is!)- particularly so this winter. The leaves are quite wrinkled and unopened, and I lost one a while back. There was a new bulb coming from the base, but now it looks like it's browning. I have repotted it into a bark/perlite mixture after reading that they tend to like it on the dry side. Now I'm starting to wonder if it's too dry.

I am almost obsessed about this little orchid - I check it at least twice a day hoping that the new growth has magically turned green and is growing Can anyone offer me any hope or ideas on what to do with this little plant?

I've attached a photo - sorry it's not great but is the best my little camera can do. Thanks in advance for any suggestions that you can give.

Pam in spring-like Ottawa, Canada

[prisana]

Hi Pam,
I own 36 catt alliance orchids, but that doesn't make me an expert. But I'll have a try at helping you out..

Your Laelia doesn't look bad to me, at least from the photo..and I can't see the leaves. The new growth looks fine also. You mention you repotted it , did you take a good look at the roots ? Shriveled leaves usually means bad roots, because they can't funtion properly. Either too much water or too little water can have have that effect on leaves.
Some of my catts arrive to me in pretty bad shape , sometimes no roots at all. I my experience with these problems I just cut out whatever bad roots , if there's any roots at all , and give it a soak in Superthrive for about 15 mins. Then give it a new pot and new medium, don't let it get too much light for a few weeks and only water it sparingly until you see new roots. Don't use fertilizer , not until the plant is revived..usually after a few weeks.

A lot of time , it's a waiting game..you try one thing and wait and see if it works for you, if not you can always try another. Goodluck

[OttPam]

Thanks so much for the response. I don't have any SuperThrive but our local OS is coming up in three weeks, and I'll try to buy some there to see if it will help. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that my Laelia will hang in until then.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Did the plant have live roots when you repotted? Did you feel them to see if the were firm and alive or colapsing and dead? If it has no roots, you can try sphag & bag. Put plant and mostly wrung out spagnum moss into a zip lock bag and keep in moderate to low light and wait for new growth anf then roots. If it has live roots, it is just a different kind of waiting game. Loss of new growth sounds like no roots.