Sick Cattleya

[26912jett]

sick Cattleya 1-12-12.jpg

This is my first time to post. I have a very sick Orchid (think it is a Cattleya). Never had a problem with this plant and have had it for years. Nothing has changed; it hangs under a shaded tree. No change in water patterns and the weather is always nice in south Florida. My orchid is getting sick at a fast pace!
What do you think the problem is and can I save it? I know it needs repotting, I intend to do that ASAP. Thanks for any help!
Picture is attached.

[orchids4me]

Have you checked the roots? Noticed any bugs on the plant ? It looks like it got burnt but I'm not sure. You mentioned its under a tree....so I'm not sure what I'm seeing.

[26912jett]

Thanks for your reply Orchids4me! I was in a panic mode when I posted my problem. After further analogy I had forgot that we had high winds one day and the wire support for the pot broke so the Orchid had fell to the ground (undamaged). So I put the orchid on the south side of home until I could get time to repot. I think the next day it may have received frost! It got in the low 40's that morning. I also noticed a couple of other non-orchid plants looking the same way. I trimmed dead roots and repotted today, now I have 5 plants from the original. Oh by the way it did not have any signs of bugs. I just hope these plants will survive, I guess I will have to be patient to see. Thanks again...

[elona]

Please help. I'm obviously abusing my once beautiful C. walkeriana. I have it hanging in an East window and water it once a week and mist it every other day. What do I need to do to bring it back to health. I've attached to photos. My apologies for poor quality photos.

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by elona

Please help. I'm obviously abusing my once beautiful C. walkeriana. I have it hanging in an East window and water it once a week and mist it every other day. What do I need to do to bring it back to health. I've attached to photos. My apologies for poor quality photos.

You have a very nice catt and it can be saved as I see some good roots in the 2nd picture.

Remove it from the basket. I would soak it for a little bit and you may have to cut the basket. Then I would clean away all the old medium, if there is any. Check your roots. Keep the firm white w/the green tips and cut away the brwown, mushy, thread like ones. Find a nice clay pot that will just fit and leave enough room for a couple years growths.Get a nice chunky bark/perlite mix. Catts need to dry out between waterings and donot like wet feet. Then just give it give it the best catt culture you can.



Cattleya Culture Sheet

[elona]

Sunshine,
Thanks so much for your helpful advice. I did as you recommended and what a difference even in such a short time. It is starting to thrive again.