sunburned cattleya

[mmarchese]

i purchased a couple cattleyas a few weeks ago and i didn't realize until after i got them home they had been in full sun the entire 45 min. drive. they looked alright the first night but then the next day almost all of the leaves had turned brown/black. the pseudobulbs still look plump and green but what should i do about the leaves? i've kept them in shady conditions for the past 2 weeks but i'm wondering if the leaves will ever go back to a green color. anyone know what i should do for them?

[jerrymeola]

I once left a tray of cats in the car when it was raining and when I woke up found every leaf to be burned to a black mess (2-3 hours in a closed car in direct sun). All the leaves fell off but it did not kill the plant. It is a year later and the new growth almost hides all 8 old bare pseudobulbs and it is getting ready to bloom.

It is unlikely your leaves will recover, unless it is a bark purple not black. But even if they fall off you should be able to save the plant.

Keeping it in low light reduces the stress on the plant. It certainly does not need flowering level light for several months, at least not until you see strong new growth.

[mmarchese]

So do you think i should cut the burned leaves off or just leave them as is? If i do need to cut them, should I use a fugicide on the wounds? I was pretty upset when i had to cut off the new shoot that was coming in. It pretty much turned to mush.

When should i put it back under the lights? How often should I water/fertilize it? (i'm loaded with questions)

[jerrymeola]

If the leaves are soft and mushy cut them off to discourage rot. If it is only black it does not matter they will fall off in the plants own time. Unless there is green clorophyll in the leaves they are not doing anything for the plant and you can cut them off it you do not weant to see it anymore.

I have lost a number of new shoots to freeze burn this winter. On a healty plant it sent up new shoots in 6-8 weeks.

I would be conservative on watering and not fertilize again until I see new growth.

I would let the plants shed the leaves when it's ready. This is your first experience with sun burn. By observing the leaves you will learn something.

[mmarchese]

thanks for your help!