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11-05-2007, 01:05 PM
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| Inherited issues I inherited an orchid from a member of the orchid society that I just joined. This Cattleya is huge, and I never owned one before, let alone one this big and with issues. It has been neglected not because of anyone's fault. The member has passed away recently and willed her vast collection to all of the members in the group. It has sunburn and dehydration. This plant is huge, needs divided and probably needs some type of chem treatment for some possible bacteria or fungal growth. I have provided pics and could use any advice. I NEVER had a Cattleya. This plant is over 20 yrs old. I've got to divide it for sure a definitely repot it immediately due to the medium is like peat and mud. I probably can make 12 divisions out of this, it's that big. Suggestions?
__________________ Jenny~   Last edited by articuno75; 11-05-2007 at 01:08 PM.      |
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11-05-2007, 01:14 PM
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| I don't grow catts so someone with more experience can help you with your terrific 'problem'. I recently went to the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate open house and they had specimen plants much larger then yours that were ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. I would not divide it! I'm not sure how they were potted because I could not even see the pot; it was just a big round ball of flowers. I saw one man pay $1600 for one plant that was covered with no less then 200 Catt flowers. I'm curious to see what some of our Catt growers will say; I want to know how they cultured a plant that wonderful!
__________________ "If Nothing Ever Changed, We Wouldn't Have Butterflies." |
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11-05-2007, 01:57 PM
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| Phalpal, believe me, if I could keep it like it is I would. I have no place to put something this big and give it proper care. Unfortunately, I've got to down size  .
__________________ Jenny~ |
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11-05-2007, 01:58 PM
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| Now THAT is a Cattleya!!! True you could definitely divide the plant but at it's current size, you have one heck of a specimen. If you simply must divide, I wouldn't go too crazy... maybe divide it into 4th. Just my 2 petals worth. I will defer to the more experienced Catt growers. |
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11-05-2007, 02:08 PM
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| I've been looking on the web for pic on this species and the blooms will be purple or white. In Costa Rica they call it the "Purple Country Girl" or something like that.
__________________ Jenny~ |
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11-05-2007, 02:11 PM
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| This is what the bloom will look like....
__________________ Jenny~ Last edited by articuno75; 11-05-2007 at 02:15 PM. |
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11-05-2007, 02:55 PM
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| Oh what an inheritance. I personally would not divide it, but just my opinion. I do have Catts, but mine look pathetic compared to that. If it were mine I would just place pot and all into another pot. It looks like it just needs some cleaning up and some careful leaf surgery for some of the bad spots. Some physan will help with any bacterial problems. I do agree with Vivienne maybe divide into 1/4 ths, any more, and you are going to set back blooming, dividing will set it back no matter what, just a matter of how much it is disturbed. Those roots are going to give you a hard time, there are a lot of them. I wish you luck, but you must have quite the luck to have gotten such a wonderful specimen of a plant.
__________________ "If nature ever showed her playfulness in the formation of plants, this is visible in the most striking way among the orchids. They take on the form of little birds, of lizards, of insects, a man, a woman, sometimes like a clown who excites our laughter. They represent the image of a lazy tortoise, a melancholy toad, an agile, ever-chattering monkey. Nature has formed orchid flowers in such a way that, unless they make us laugh, they surely excite our greatest admiration." Jacob Breynius |
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11-05-2007, 03:12 PM
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| Now that is a plant I wouldn't mind having a piece of. So take good care of it, sterilize your tools before beginning to repot. It looks like the newest growths have not started to root yet, but will do so very soon. So the best time to divided is coming up quickly, and if need be, you could probably repot/divide now with the expectation of rooting soon. If you think it may have bugs, I would use the Bayer Advance 3 in 1 (make sure it is the 3 in 1, not one of the other formulations) and treat the plants after dividing, because you probably will not be able to cover all leaf surfaces with such a tremendous leaf mass. The 3 in 1 should cover all possible bugs, and spray again a couple of weeks later. I bought the 3 in 1 at Lowes.
__________________ Cynthia Prescott Orchid Society |
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11-05-2007, 03:21 PM
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| Hey, if you do divide it up and have an extra division, I have a Phal. (Dtps) Purple Gem that i would gladly trade for a piece of that C. skinneri... Send me a PM, if you are interested. |
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11-05-2007, 03:34 PM
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| What a great plant! How lucky. Home Depot and Lowes have some really large saucers if you could keep it in one piece. Keep us posted and good luck. NancyG |
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11-05-2007, 03:36 PM
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| Ditto here, I have a Hknsa. Sogo Doll I would be willing to trade. It's a mini Catt.
__________________ "If nature ever showed her playfulness in the formation of plants, this is visible in the most striking way among the orchids. They take on the form of little birds, of lizards, of insects, a man, a woman, sometimes like a clown who excites our laughter. They represent the image of a lazy tortoise, a melancholy toad, an agile, ever-chattering monkey. Nature has formed orchid flowers in such a way that, unless they make us laugh, they surely excite our greatest admiration." Jacob Breynius |
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11-05-2007, 03:37 PM
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| Very nice specimen. Too bad you have to divide it. I would love to see it in bloom at that size. I would say not more than 3-4 divisions as well. Once you get it out of the pot, you'll probably see where you can make the breaks. Catts. produce copious roots so you may have to trim some when you repot. I agree with Cynthia in that the repotting time is crucial if you don't want a slowdown or setback in it's flowering. You want to repot as soon as the new growth has developed to a stage where the new roots can just be seen, but have not grown sufficiently to be damaged when you repot. Good luck and Can't wait to see the blooms.
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11-05-2007, 03:40 PM
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| I'm going to do my best and see what I can do for dividing. I don't think I'll take it down to forths but maybe thirds if at all possible. I'll be performing surgery tonight. This is my first surgical procedure, so please wish me luck. May all the orchid Gods and Godesses be on my side as I don my gloves, mask and scalpel.  I will post pics of the division as soon as I finish. I have to get more supplies....
__________________ Jenny~ |
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11-05-2007, 03:48 PM
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| Lord, what a gorgeous orchid! I would think that, unless you are planning to sell/give away the divisions, the one repotted undivided plant would take up a lot less room than 4 to 12 repotted divisions. You know best, though. E-Jag |
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11-05-2007, 03:49 PM
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| It was in a medium grad bark, perlite, and charcoal mix at one point. Before it broke down into mud...I think I'll put it back into the same mix.
__________________ Jenny~ |
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11-05-2007, 03:57 PM
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| The woman who died was very generous. She did not want her plants to be sold out. I don't know about maybe trading. Truthfully, I did not know her personally. I would be willing to give out the divisions, but let me see how my surgery goes.... 
__________________ Jenny~ |
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11-05-2007, 04:13 PM
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| Should I fertilize as soon as I get the surgery completed? Or will that fry the roots?
__________________ Jenny~ |
