Broke new pseudobulb - Orchid Board

Cattleya234 · #1 10-30-2020, 04:57 PM

Hey everybody! This is my first post here, so I’m not sure if I’m doing this right. I just received a catt Seedling in the mail. It’s super healthy, and growing fine, but there is a problem. Since it was shipped bare root, I had to pot it. All was going well, however, just as I was putting the bark around the roots, I broke off a new growth tip. It was still tiny, and hadn’t grown any leaves yet, but it’s entirely broken off the plant. Will this hurt it? Will it be able to continue growing? That was the only visible growth tip that I could see. Did I just ruin my new seedling? I put cinnamon on the wound and it’s dry now. Any help is much appreciated!

SouthPark · #2 10-30-2020, 05:44 PM

Hard to assess at the moment. If you can - and if the 5-post-before-picture-upload-allowed isn't turned on, then you can post a pic of the orchid for assessment.

estación seca · #3 10-30-2020, 05:45 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Don't worry. We have all done that many times. I did it two days ago.

With good environmental conditions, a healthy seedling will soon make new growth. Keep it nice and warm, and as humid as you can. Cattleya seedlings should not dry completely. Adults should, but not seedlings. Neither will seedlings tolerate light levels preferred by adults; give them very bright shade, or dappled sun. Many get slight purplish coloring in bright light. Seedlings may stay in continuous growth, pushing one growth after another. They respond to healthy doses of fertilizer when growing conditions are warm and bright.

I would suggest you go to Sunset Valley Orchids Web site and look up the cultivation information for Cattleya seedlings. It is excellent and detailed.

Cattleya234 · #4 10-30-2020, 07:19 PM

Thank you so much!

Leafmite · #5 10-30-2020, 07:22 PM

I agree. Most everyone has done this. With good care, it will soon begin a new growth as they have more than one 'eye' (where new growth begins) just as a back-up.

estación seca · #6 10-30-2020, 08:04 PM

I came back to add that most people as far north as you find they must use supplemental lighting to bloom most Cattleyas. You have time to think about it, so don't rush your choice. There is a forum here devoted to growing under lights. You can find it from the left yellow menu, if you click Forums.