trouble in Catt. land

[exasperatus2002]

When I got my Blc. Chia Lin 'New City' AM/AOS as an early Christmas present, the grower had told me that when it was done blooming, that it will need to be repotted since it was growing over the edge of the pot. Since my cat broke the flower spike after the plant was in full bloom for a week, I procrastinated about repotting it. Then Ive been noticing that the pb's werent plump and were getting more wrinkly & one leaf started yellowing so I got it out of the pot to repot it. and found most of the roots were shot and there were hard shelled eggs laid in the mix with the roots. They were about 4mm and when squeezed would pop a slightly grayish white goop. I washed out the roots and put in new bark. I didnt see any pests. What are these eggs from? Any tips to ensure a full recovery? I love this hybrid and it was an xmas present from my wife so she'll be irked if it dies on me.

[phalaephila]

The "eggs" you found were most likely slow-release fertilizer pellets. They slowly break down with every watering. I would guess commercial growers use them for convenience. As for recovery, I'm sure someone more experienced with cattleyas will help you out.

jeanne

[Hummer344]

Cats are pretty hardy but recovery might be slow. did you soak your potting mix before you re-potted? If not, moisture at the root level might be a problem. Give it a spot where it gets some light but no direct sunlight. Others may suggest spraying it occasionally to keep the moisture content up. Hopefully it will show new root growth soon.
Phal, nice guess on the fert pellets.

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by phalaephila

The "eggs" you found were most likely slow-release fertilizer pellets. They slowly break down with every watering. I would guess commercial growers use them for convenience. As for recovery, I'm sure someone more experienced with cattleyas will help you out.

jeanne

Will the slow release fertilizer pellets pop like a zit when squeezed?

[phalaephila]

Some will, yes.

jeanne

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I agree on the fertilizer. Plants ready for repotting will often have a fair percentage of dead roots in the pot. I think you will find with experience, that roots have shorter life spans than leaves. I generally start cutting off dead roots from the oldest end of the plant, and stop when I find I am cutting into a live root. Need to see a picture for the leaf yellowing. The shriveling is probably just a response to moving from a humid greenhouse to a dry house. Not really a sign of trouble, just adjustment. However, since you repotted, this shriveling could get worse for a while. You might want to throw a clear plastic bag over the plant for a couple of months until it can grow new roots, tho when it will grow new roots is not clear, as they are sometimes very seasonal, so play it by ear, and be sure to leave plenty of opening around the bottom of the bag, as you must have air exchange to help the potting mix dry out. For sure you want a wet/dry cycle for your Catt at the roots.

[cindiras]

Are you guys sure the 'eggs' that popped were fertilizer pellets? What about slime mold? That fungus developes round or egg shaped pellots that can be squished between your fingers. Root rot is often present when slime mold is making a home in your potting mix. Does the fungus cause the rot? I don't know, maybe it's just a side effect of the root rot.

[rmt135]

At least at your place they use slow-release fertilizer pellets. Here, the farmers like to use goat dung. Oooooh the smell. SUPER POWER SMELL.

[phalaephila]

I'm no slime mold expert, I'll give you that. In googling slime mold, I think the original poster would have noticed some remnants of the slime part of that organism when repotting. If the slime mold had passed on, leaving only the sporangia, are those structures hard-shelled and 4mm in diameter? Please let me know, that's something I didn't even consider!

jeanne

[exasperatus2002]

nope no slime that I saw just bad roots.

[patticake]

The fertilizer is osmocote (sp?) I used to pop them like bubble plastic when I worked at a greenhouse years ago!

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by patticake

The fertilizer is osmocote (sp?) I used to pop them like bubble plastic when I worked at a greenhouse years ago!

Ohh ok. I thought they might have been snail eggs or something. I thought only gum could have a suprise center!

[exasperatus2002]

Heres a pic I took while repotting. I had watered it the day before I decided to repot. Sorry I didnt take more when I was doing it. Why does my cat (Felinus domesticus) like to roll in the potting mix for? Its hard to repot on the kitchen table and fend off a cat at the same time.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Exasperatus, I hope that is just a bit of detritis on the upper most pseudobulb in the picture, and not scale.