Catt Rescue

[DebsC]

I just joined the forum tonight but figured I might as well jump right in! I got a cattleya from a vendor (yep, Ebay) that's in bad shape.

First let me say the vendor did make it right.

Okay now back to the sick chid. It was real yellow when I got it except one leaf and it had a flower. The eyes had all dried up even on the newest bulb.

My question is, what would be the best treatment for saving this catt and encouraging it to form a new eye?

It does have some roots but they aren't in great shape either.

Debs

[frederickteh]

Hi Debs,

Once a while I also faced the same problem. If the roots are still firmly attached to the potting materials than we may have some chance.Every catt bulb has two eyes. It is tough to answer your problem but firstly it is better to nurse the plant back into prime health. Then we can see whether any dormant eye may revive and survive.

Fred

[orcdfrk]

I got some catts back in November where the roots were pretty much non-existent except for what was left of the dead ones. I potted them up in sphagnum moss in clear pots with some holes in the sides and they have responded well. They should be repotted eventually in fir bark but they've done so well in this stuff that now I'm not sure.

[Shadow]

As far as I know each catt bulb has three eyes. One is a bit higher than the other two.
Can you post a picture of your sick plant?

[justatypn]

Cattleya's are gorgous when they are in bloom, the trick being a newbie here is to get them to produce year after year. A plant that shows signs of shriveling from lack of roots will often respond to a daily gentle overhead spray. Suggestively keep the catt in low/medium light while in this transformation stage. The trick is to not over water but not let dry out. When it comes to cattleya orchid care, dryness will deter growth, but too much moisture will kill the plant. If water remains in the pot and does not dry out in a week or ten days, it is likely that the roots will have rotted off. The catt should not become completely dry since the bulbs may shrivel and plant growth may be retarded for at least a year. Hope this helps....

[DebsC]

Right now I have this catt sitting in a clear pot with no medium. It's in the phal section of the greenhouse that gets lower light.

It sits where the foggers keep it in high humidity, hence, the lack of anything in the pot. It's also a bit warmer.

I thought about bagging it but was afraid of rots ect. I'm wondering if there is any type of hormone I could dab on a dormant eye? There are no 'swollen' eyes on it but you can see where there should be.

This isn't the orchid I ordered but it is a very special girl and I want to save it if at all possible!

I have had others in years past that I simply tossed under a tree with a make it or not attitude and most of the time, surprisingly, they made it.

Not this one! I want it to positively make it! So whatever I can do, I will.

Debs

[Lagoon]

First thing I would do is cut that flower off, allow the energy to go towards growth. I think with the higher humidity that the frogger is createing is a great idea, I feel most important right now ... therfore I wouldn't use any media at this point. Perhaps a light misting once daily even a misting of peroxide to help clean up any infected area's.

Other then that, to me it's a waiting game
Good luck

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[DebsC]

Thanks Gloria. Yes, I cut the flower off immediately. I sure did hate to but I did it anyway.

I sure do hate this waiting, but????

Debs

[justatypn]

Gloria gave good advise, I would also be very patient there will be a resting period so don't be alarmed if you don't see any growth within the next 4-6 weeks. As long as the appearance stays the same it will come around. The misting is a great idea, catts do like there roots to be airborne so my feeling is the same...let them breath. As for a stimulant on the eye...I would leave the plant alone at this point, doing to much might not be a good thing, give it time than if you feel a stimulant is warranted, do so, but just hang in there, keep us posted on the outcome....good luck....

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[Shadow]

I agree with Cheryl. Don't use hormones. The plant will wake up by itself. If you force it by hormones you can get a mutated growth and you don't need that.