whats Happening?

[chidfix]

These are two recent purchases, the first from home depot which I think is beyond saving, as you will see the roots look rotten and now the leaves are turning black. The second is an ebay purchase I recieved last week, it arrived in need of re-potting which I did Friday night, everything looked fine at that point but today I think I see some black rot setting in. I'm not sure. Help! Is this what I am seeing. Can and should I put them under the knife and do some surgery.Any advice would be appreciated. The first 4 pics are from the home depot catt and the second 3 are from the ebay catt.

Thanks, Rick

[Orchidementia]

Important note: I AM NOT A CATT EXPERT. Procede with caution.

eBay plant: doesn't look like rot to me; looks like insect/mechanical damage. Spray with insecticidal soap and remove dead pbulb.

HD plant: Remove dead roots. Leaves look sun or cold damaged; maybe insect; spray with insecticidal soap (can't hurt). If it were mine, I'd mount it; rootless wonders revive and grow roots for me when mounted but rock is okay too.

[orchidaddict789]

I wouldn't worry about rootless catts (and I'm the kind who used to freak out every time I saw a rootless orchid).

Recently I received about half a dozen rootless catts of various sizes and I repotted them in fresh bark, watered them with KLN (a rooting hormone), and viola, they all have new roots. One of them had no roots at all, and only 0.5" tall new growths, yet each new growth is sprouting many new roots.

The 2nd catt looks like the bulbs were broken, or chewed, at some point. Usually plants will heal with physical damage, but sometimes fungus or bacteria may set in and cause secondary infections. Watch the wounds carefully.

If the black marks on the 1st plant is spreading, you may want to spray with fungicide. Same with the 2nd plant. Good luck!

[Dendian]

The roots will come back as long as the plant is healthy - but that brown pbulb is not good. Its not black rot - but it is a bacteria/mold/water mold which can kill the plant. I have lost a few Big Box Store plants with no roots and this rot because I ignored it (I thought it was just an old growth dying off). Remove that pbulb at the rhyzome level and keep a close eye on the new growth of that plant. If you notice any new growth dying then divide the plant so that part of the plant has a chance of part of it being away from the rot.

The rest of the black marks/lines do look like mechanical damage - but they can let rot in so keep an eye on them too (don't cut them unless you need to remove advancing rot).

The second catt appears to have received quite a bit of light- its turning red. If the brownish area in your pictures gets soft or the new leaf falls off with mush at its base -then that is a "rot". This can be transferred by water - so try not to splash any water from one plant to another (minimizing travel).

[chidfix]

Thanks guys, what do you mean when you say mechanical damage.

[Dendian]

Mechanical/physical damage is when something bumped into - bent - pushed - ate - burned - the plant. It is not caused by something inside the plant - but rather something outside that hurt it - and now its dying back in response to that damage. Its like a cut on your skin - it doesn't hurt the rest of you.

[iluvorchids]

[QUOTE=orchidaddict789;296965]I wouldn't worry about rootless catts (and I'm the kind who used to freak out every time I saw a rootless orchid).

Recently I received about half a dozen rootless catts of various sizes and I repotted them in fresh bark, watered them with KLN (a rooting hormone), and viola, they all have new roots. One of them had no roots at all, and only 0.5" tall new growths, yet each new growth is sprouting many new roots.


How come my cattleya is taking soooo long to grow roots? I have it in a mixture of bark and moss. It made 2 bulbs (teeny) and is not moving. I see that each bulb has 2 small root nubs that are white, yet those roots are growing either. What to do next

[sunshine]

[QUOTE=iluvorchids;308388]

Originally Posted by orchidaddict789

I wouldn't worry about rootless catts (and I'm the kind who used to freak out every time I saw a rootless orchid).

Recently I received about half a dozen rootless catts of various sizes and I repotted them in fresh bark, watered them with KLN (a rooting hormone), and viola, they all have new roots. One of them had no roots at all, and only 0.5" tall new growths, yet each new growth is sprouting many new roots.


How come my cattleya is taking soooo long to grow roots? I have it in a mixture of bark and moss. It made 2 bulbs (teeny) and is not moving. I see that each bulb has 2 small root nubs that are white, yet those roots are growing either. What to do next

Because they do A watched pot never boils Catt roots and pbulbs are slow so now you just have to practice patience and give your catts the best culture possible. The white on the new roots is normal and is called veleman(sp) it helps with the absorption of water and other nutrients.

Now about that potting mix you have them potted in Catts like a nice airy,chunky bark/perlite mix. They need to dry out between watering.If the roots stay too wet they will rot.

Cattleya Culture Sheet



This is only my opinion, but I find catts one of the easiest and forgiving orchids to grow.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by iluvorchids

How come my cattleya is taking soooo long to grow roots? I have it in a mixture of bark and moss. It made 2 bulbs (teeny) and is not moving. I see that each bulb has 2 small root nubs that are white, yet those roots are growing either. What to do next

Unless you are growing under high lights and the temps are pretty warm...you will see slowed growth this time of the year.

If the plants are healthy overall and you are providing the proper conditions, they will eventually begin to grow for you.

[iluvorchids]

Thanks Sunshine & Katrina,

I've got my catt in bark. It's in a 4' pot to accomodate the length. The medium does dry out quickly, so I mist the top of it. The roots are nubs so no need to water the entire pot, right? I've left it by the same east window but moved it so that it gets even more sunlight. With it being winter now, some days we don't see any sun, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.