Need help with L. tenebrosa infection

[liqsb]

Hello!

My L. tenebrosa was a January import from Brazil. Although some companion plants are growing, this remains in a dormant state, which I half expected that.

Just yesterday, I spotted the leading stem is drooping and sort of spongy. There are no brown/black on the stem, rhizome or leaves, just a very weak bulb. Search on the internet has nothing that fits the symptom. Please Help.

I am in So. Calif. Coastal. Night temp has be in the high 50s. This plant is getting a bit less light than the regular Cattleyas.

TIA.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

This is a summer-growing species you imported in what it thought was midwinter. It is confused. The roots aren't in great shape after being bare-rooted halfway around the world, and repotted. The plant probably is having trouble keeping up with its water supply, so the newest growth is wilting.

How often are you watering it?

Cattleya alliance plants generally make new roots only around the time the plant is making a new growth. Until then you need to keep it alive.

How warm are your days? This plant likes very warm summer days. Keeping it warmer would probably convince it to grow sooner. Mid 50s at night will make it think it still might be winter, and time not to grow.

The potting looks good, if the rest of the medium is a large in size as what can be seen.

[SouthPark]

ES has mentioned pretty much everything accurately. Great post by ES.

The pseudobulbs are definitely shriveling a lot here. It's possible you might need to use the 'sphag and bag' method - to avoid shriveling to a really unrecoverable situation.

Check all the roots too - just in case.

In case it really has picked something up - infection - may need to treat with something, eg. monterey garden phos, or something.

And welcome to OrchidBoard liqsb!

[liqsb]

Thank You for the input! I was dreading it may be a goner already. My watering regiment for none growing orchids is twice a week, mist topping almost everyday. It has been overcast for the last six weeks, So Cal June Gloom. Day time temp has been between 70F to 80F. I' really looking forward for brighter days this coming week. The medium is about 1/3 bark, 2/3 inorganic 3/4" size.

I'll move it to a brighter spot and increase hydration frequency. I have a few tenebrosas, and they are all in shadier spot right now. This is due to the leaves were yellow green, not lime green, when sharing the same space as Cattleya. They all seemed to be happy now, but I may try the brighter light again.

Thanks again.

---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 PM ----------

Thanks SouthPark. Good point about the bulb shriveling. I have chose to ignore the importance of that aspect. Probably due to my success rate for spag and bag method is low. But I definitely will try that again with a few plants.

I have applied systemic and topical treatment. But just wasnt sure what I am facing.

[SouthPark]

You're welcome liqsb. Your growing area looks pretty good.

Since you have other tenebrosa plants, and they're doing ok, then I'm thinking that this one should have followed along too (doing well). Good to know you applied some systematic already. All the very best!!! Will be great to see this one fire up and get going.