Orchids left out in freezing weather

[mstlindsay]

I was wondering if anyone had any orchids in freezing weather. I did and the plants don't look great (black spots) but I'm hoping that they will come back. Am I being too optomistic? Any advice? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Sharyn]

I just suffered the same damage with plants delivered frozen.
See my original post in the Newbie questions forum:
New Plants - Nearly Frozen Leaves

New plants - nearly frozen leaves

[arleneg]

I went through this, too, last month! Here's my post...

Orchids arrived cold & looking sick

The original two Catts lost all its leaves. However, when I emailed the pics of the plants' condition to the grower, he gave immediate attention and shipped out replacements. They arrived in good condition and the spikes bloomed.

I kept the two original...in the hopes they will have new growths this spring.

I hope yours make a comeback.

[Sharyn]

Arlene: I saw your pics of your frozen plants. They look pretty bad. I, too, kept the bad plants. One of my catts. lost several leaves and the buds - I'm now checking for soft spots as Cynthia suggested. The other catt. has 2 leaves that are very discolored but not mushy and I think it might make it.

The Den. has lost all leaves but 3, and they're on the way of dropping off. It still looks pretty bad, but there's a possibility that it may spurt some new growth in the future. I hope you'll be able to salvage some of yours. Good luck.

[arleneg]

Sharyn, both original Catts lost all its leaves and stems. So, as Jerry Meola suggested, I cut the stems (which were all mushy) just above the rhizomes. The catts look dead. However, I haven't given up hope...yet.

Good luck with yours, too!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

For both Catts and Dens, having good bulbs is much more important than leaves. As long as the bulbs are mostly green and firm, the plants are not dead. Good roots for Catts are THE most important thing. Dens are so seasonal, that good roots are important, but not the most important.

[flaorchidfan]

cynthia hits it on the head about the roots. i was given a "dead"drobium from a girl at work. it was three stalks cut back to the bark. I stuck them in new medium and fertilized a little. all three sprouted new growth, the biggest is over 6" tall after not even a year.

[gutsy1]

I think that must be whats going on with a nice phalo I have. All the rest of my orchids seemed to do ok in the cold snap we had except the phalo that was starting a spike. Now the bottom 2-4 leaves have big black spots and are turning yellow, spike has ceased growth...

[jerrymeola]

Since I grow outside year round I have seen too many, black spots from cold.

It is actually freeze burn the same as sun burn. It will not kill Cattleya unless the roots were damaged as well.

Since it is not rot you do not need to cut the leaves off. Partial leaves will still feed the plant. The spots may be soft for a couple of days but will harden and not spread. I leave the leaves on until I have a good crop of new leaves and then cut them off for appearance.