C. Walkeriana got Big problem

[Spicy]

Hello everyone,

I'm a new comer. I got a big big problem. I bought a C. Walkeriana. It's originally mounted ona wood. When I take it home, all its root got rot. So, I changed it to a pot with moss. However, its leaves becoming yellow. I'm afraid my plant will die. Does anyone have a suggestion to me? How to make it have roots again. I'm deeply appreciated to your help!

[Ak_Orchid]

How often are you watering it? And what do you have it potted in? With cattleyas you really have to be careful not to overwater. I live in Alaska and grow my cattleyas inside. Most of them are mounted, and I only water 1X a week in the winter and at least 2x a week in the summer. I'd hold off watering it for a little while. Hopefully you'll be able to save some of the root structure.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If the plant has NO roots, you need to raise the humdity around the plant. A baggy over the plant and pot should do it. This is sort of a sphag & bag with the pot of moss instead of the plant just sitting on the moss in a zip-lock bag. This is going to be a tough one, as my experience with walkerianas is that they are not fast growers. Usually, the current parts of the plant will not produce new roots, and you have to keep the plant from desicating while you are waiting for the plant to start the next seasons growth which WILL produce new roots. The problem is that it may take quite a while to start the next seasons growth. Just depends on the relative part of the season the plant is now in as to how long you will have to wait. Good luck. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[ryan_d_cruz]

remove and clean the dead roots, let the plant dry out for about a day or so and then replant it in medium orchid mix, water once a week or less till new shoot begins to grow

[jerrymeola]

I think we need to step back and examine your original assumption of root rot.

I have hundreds of mounted orchids in my pesonal collection and the commercial shade houses. Last year in June they got 24 inches of rain and I watered five times that month in addition to the rain. Root rot is almost impossible on a mounted orchid. I have never seen it, but I suppose it is possible. Most mounted orchids that die are from lack of water or shock from changing conditions usually extreme temperature changes. I find mounted orchids are the easiest to keep outside in Florida.

C. walkeriana is a species orchid and I do not recommend species for newcomers. Hybrids, of which there are many walkeriana hybrids, are breed to be easier to grow, to flower more often, and to be generally stronger plants. The plant may just have gone into shock.

At this point, if your plants has lost all its roots the advice from Cynthia is a good start. Orchids are generally difficult to remove from mounted wood so you may well have lost all the roots.

Potting in moss is not good for root rot plants but very good a plant with no active roots. It fundctions much as the 'sphag and bag' technique Cynthia mentioned.