Millenium Magic Monnierara HELP

[Orchid_Love1985]

Hello all,
I just recently purchased a Millenium Magic Monnierara on ebay for a great price! When it got here, it was completely dry, so i repotted it and watered it - BIG mistake, right? Well, i looked up the care for these orchids a bit too late and discovered about the dormancy and whatnot. There was a new growth with one root that was about a quarter-inch long, and the new growth rotted and the root tip turned brown. Is there any hope for my orchid? The old backbulb is still plump, but it is small. I took it out of medium and i currently have it in a container with no medium or lid. Does anyone have any ideas as to how i could stimulate a new shoot and let the roots get longer before watering? Any information you could provide would be GREATLY appreciated

[fishmom]

Keep it warm, give it light, and wait to see if a second new growth starts. As soon as you spot it, repot in DRY medium, so the tender new roots won't be damaged by potting, but you can orient it correctly for the new growth. If the older bulb starts to shrivel excessively, give a tablespoon or so of water. This is not the kiss of death! Good luck.

[Orchid_Love1985]

Thank you fish mom! This is kind of an aside, but what if it doesn't start a new growth this year? Should it go in a dark space till next growing season?

[fishmom]

It all depends on the vigor of the parent pseudobulb. Without leaves, it will not be photosynthesizing much, so it is questionable if the bulb will survive that long. I would not put it in the dark. The roots that remain on the parent bulb do not function as well as new roots, but they can still help take up some water, which is why you can water very lightly and help the bulb not shrivel. If the bulb has leaves, it is not completely dormant and I would repot and water carefully. Can you post a picture?

[Orchid_Love1985]

Sorry for the bad picture - the black spot is not rot, it is the pseudobulb case

[fishmom]

Nice fat roots, and it looks like there is a new growth at the left of your picture. Is that the old one that started to rot? Anyway, it might have some life left in it. I would pot it with plenty of room in the pot where that little sprig of green is, keep it dry as long as the bulb is plump, and keep my fingers crossed. That bulb looks strong.

[Orchid_Love1985]

On the left there is a growth with a brown sheath around it (looks like it stopped growing) - the green part is a root. On the right is the pseudobulb that rotted away.

[Orchid_Love1985]

So, update - it looks like it might be a flower spike. It would be nice, but I am worried it is going to die if I let it flower. I just read somewhere that new growths are pointy and flower spikes have a rounded tip? Is this true? I am really, really hoping for a new growth at this point but we will see...

[Roberta]

Out of curiosity, did this plant come from a seller in the southern hemisphere? I would expect all of the Catasetinae to be in full growth, and getting watered copiously at this time. If it came from a southern hemisphere source, of course it would have its seasons confused.

[Orchid_Love1985]

It actually came from China Not sure if it was northern or southern hemisphere though.