Is this a problem for my Blc. Sunbow x Decker?

[syndywindy]

I bought this orchid a couple months ago along with a few others. All have been put into S/H and doing quite well.But this one I wasn't sure was ok as its the only one not showing any growth. All my orchids are outside, with a couple hours of ealy morning sun, then dappled sunlight the rest of the day. I decided to check the roots and found there is new root growth. But today I also notice the small blackened area near the base of one leaf. It is on front and backsides. pictures of the roots and front and back of the leaf in question are attached. The orchids' leaves have always had the reddish blush on them since buying them. What do you think?

[myorchid]

Maybe sunburn? Is it mushy?

[syndywindy]

No, the leaf is very firm. It seems odd that that would be the only place to be affected by sunburn.

[kmarch]

If it were sunburn ti would be white. If it were bacterial rot it would be mushy. I suspect it is a fungus of some type.

[syndywindy]

Since posting this 2 days ago, this morning the rot expanded to almost twice the size. So I figured I better take more drastic measures. In all honesty, I have never dealt with this, so I hope what I did is correct. the leaf involved was the largest of the three and the only one exhibiting the rot. I removed the plant from its pot(which I tossed) and when I took hold of the leaf, it literally just snapped off at the base where it connects to the pb. Now I cut the pb about a third of the way down just to be sure I got all the rot. Would I have been better off just removing the whole pb? I also removed a few of the roots that looked somewhat black and mushy. I doused with h2oh and then sprinkled with cinnamon. Repotted with new hydroton and pot. will keep on the dry side and away from the others until I see what happens. Is there anything else I need to do?

[PhalPal]

I am not an expert on S/H, but I think one of the rules Jay taught me was never to put an ailing plant into S/H. You need active root growth to get the plant established. Hopefully he will chime in here and teach us something.

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

You need active root growth to get the plant established. .

Suprisingly, there is active root growth. But as you said, hopefully Jay will jump in and tell me whether it's ok in the S/H or if I should repot in bark.

[lmartiny]

I just lost a loveknot from rot that sounds and looks very similar. May want to take off all of the P bulb and keep a close eye on it.

[jerrymeola]

The rot is phythion fungus which is universal throughout the world and attacks when rains and high humidity encourage its growth. It is very rampant in Florida this time of year.

Cutting was the correct thing to do as only total removal will stop the growth. The chemicals that can stop it are too expensive and too dangerous for home use.

I normally remove the entire pbulb but I doubt that it will make much difference if as you say you got all the rot. I remove all the pbulb since the rhizome dries faster and prevents further infection. If you do not see anymore rot in the bulb you are OK.

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

I normally remove the entire pbulb but I doubt that it will make much difference if as you say you got all the rot. I remove all the pbulb since the rhizome dries faster and prevents further infection. If you do not see anymore rot in the bulb you are OK.

Assuming everything goes ok, and I leave things as they are, will there ever be a new growth from this pbulb?

[lmartiny]

No. I think the P bulb is history. Or yes, if it lives it could send out a new shoot. Or rhyzome. I'm really no expert. Someone else needs to pipe in.

[katrina]

That particular pbulb will not sprout a new leaf however, if the rot is stopped then the rhizome will sprout new growths/pbulbs. Which, in time, will fill in and the area won't be as noticeable.

[Ray]

AS to the "leave it in S/H" question - if it's actively growing new roots, it should not be a problem. You can see that the old ones have already succumbed, but that one looks OK. Moving it into another root environment will be even more stress on the plant, as that single, good root would not be designed for working in it.