Is this bacteria or a natural "moulting"?

[Amblnc38]

This is my Bakerrara Clownish "Cotton Candy"...this has literally cropped up over night.

I do know what's going on.

I live in Virginia Beach and the weather keeps snapping, but my apartment is always above 70* F.

[Amblnc38]

Update: I just pulled it out of the pot. It has two very small viable roots off the new growths, everything else was dead. At this point, I'm going to put it in hydro...but I need to know if I should scrap everything but the new growths, or how to split the plant...

[PaulB]

Looks pretty dry. How often do you water? And, have you checked the roots?

[Amblnc38]

Yeah, the roots are completely shot, no idea how that happened. I must not have cut enough of them back when I first got it. Every orchid I bought at the NEX has had hydration issues.

I'm treating it with some super thrive right now then I'll put it in the same hydro type set-up I used to save my Brassia Edvah Loo. Would the yellowing be caused by a lack of water?

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by Amblnc38

Yeah, the roots are completely shot, no idea how that happened. I must not have cut enough of them back when I first got it. Every orchid I bought at the NEX has had hydration issues.

I'm treating it with some super thrive right now then I'll put it in the same hydro type set-up I used to save my Brassia Edvah Loo. Would the yellowing be caused by a lack of water?

I am going to say more than likely yes. The first thing I noticed is that the pbulbs are very dehydrated. I have several of this family in s/h and they do very well. If you have a couple good roots and put in s/h you just might stand a chance to save it. It is going to be a long slow process. Another option is to deep six it buy another and start over. If the NEX is having hydration isuues I wonder what other issues their having with their orchids.

Oncidium & Odontoglossum Orchid Care - Carter and Holmes Orchids Culture

I don't know how far you are from here.
Al's Orchid Greenhouse

[Amblnc38]

Oh, I haven't bought any in a while there because the last set they had, had a HUGE aphid problem. I love Al's, I'm about 200 miles from there, but I try to go when I'm up home.

I let plant's deep six themselves...if I managed to save my Brassia from the brink of death, (dehydration, no roots & bacteria infestation.) So I'll give it a shot.

I've got another Oncidium in hydro at the moment, it's shooting out roots like crazy. Hopefully I can save this one.

Should I remove the yellow leaves?

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by Amblnc38

Oh, I haven't bought any in a while there because the last set they had, had a HUGE aphid problem. I love Al's, I'm about 200 miles from there, but I try to go when I'm up home.

I let plant's deep six themselves...if I managed to save my Brassia from the brink of death, (dehydration, no roots & bacteria infestation.) So I'll give it a shot.

I've got another Oncidium in hydro at the moment, it's shooting out roots like crazy. Hopefully I can save this one.

Should I remove the yellow leaves?

You can remove them or just let them fall off naturally.

Don't forget the before and after pictures

[Amblnc38]

Originally Posted by sunshine

Don't forget the before and after pictures

Well this is how I have it split up in containers. This is what worked for my Brassia. I know it's a long shot. I dipped the bottom of the plants in rooting hormone and the water is treated with Superthrive.

[JudyC]

1st sorry to hear of ur mishap, but hopefully it'll recoup!

Question tho...how often do you change this water they sit in? and how often do you redip in root hormone? Also do you keep it in the same light conditions for that plant while it is recouping?? thanks.

[Amblnc38]

I refill the water every other day until roots start showing then I lower the water level below the plant, for right now I keep it just below the pbulb. I clean the rocks and off any algae every other week which is when I re-dip them in root hormone. I keep them in the same light, the whole time. I'm about to move though, so this bunch will get relocated. But with my Brassia they hung in that same spot for 4-5 months. I finally got roots long enough that I have since potted them. I think the clear glass helps keep the heat up a little bit and the humidity is really high around the plant in the container.

I have an East facing window which gets indirect sunlight all morning, until about 3pm.

[JudyC]

Originally Posted by Amblnc38

I refill the water every other day until roots start showing then I lower the water level below the plant, for right now I keep it just below the pbulb. I clean the rocks and off any algae every other week which is when I re-dip them in root hormone. I keep them in the same light, the whole time. I'm about to move though, so this bunch will get relocated. But with my Brassia they hung in that same spot for 4-5 months. I finally got roots long enough that I have since potted them. I think the clear glass helps keep the heat up a little bit and the humidity is really high around the plant in the container.

I have an East facing window which gets indirect sunlight all morning, until about 3pm.

Thank you for all the info!!

[Amblnc38]

I'm sure there are flaws with my plan but it's a work in progress. I can't afford the water beads to pot them in semi-hydro normally. I also have two bulbophyllum in small brandy glasses, I'm attempting this with.

I have a nasty habit of buying cheap plants that require lots of TLC. But I think that makes it more worth while for me. Not everyone can see they brought an orchid back from the brink of death.

[Amblnc38]

Next question, is is normal for older plant to shoot off new plants and then die back?

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by Amblnc38

Next question, is is normal for older plant to shoot off new plants and then die back?

Which type of orchid are you talking about The ones that have pbulbs such as catts and dens. The older pbulbs store water and nutrients for new growth and for the plant when water/food isn't available. If your talking about these kind of orchids I want to say yes. If you have pictures that would help a lot.

[Amblnc38]

It's the plant above. I'm still seeing growth in the new growths, even with the trauma it just went through. I'm just wondering if I should be worried the older pbulbs are still dying back.