Catesetum delayed in shipping . Will it recover?

[Cymbaline]

Hey there,
I purchased Wine Delight on Feb 12 and it was shipped on Feb 16 with USPS Priority Mail and was supposed to be here on Feb 20 but didn't get to me until Feb 25.

I don't know if it got too cold but the leaves look translucent like and feel thin and soft like. I hate to say it but I wonder if it froze while being out there.

I'm in Texas and we had freezing weather starting on Feb 15 through 17 and the seller didn't send it with a heat pack.

So I know it's not the seller's fault that USPS screwed up but I feel he should have sent a heat pack.

With this type of orchid I also know it may be going dormant or should have been dormant around this time anyways. So if the leaves drop I'm okay with that IF there is a chance it will recover and produce a new bulb and all that.

Any opinions on this? I just hope the actual bulb and roots didn't freeze and it's going to die.

[Dr. Dave 4u]

Wow...that bites!!!
I just ordered one myself and now I'm worried for mine...
Guess some growers just ship no matter, I've had growers hold and ship when its a bit warmer...

Fingers crossed yours is ok or recovers...

Does the grower guarantee live undamaged plant or is it at your own risk??

[Roberta]

Fortunately, this is the time for dormancy, though it looks like the plant hadn't been dormant. As long as the pseudobulb didn't freeze and turn to mush, the plant likely will be fine. Don't even worry about roots... if the pseudobulb survived, the new growth will produce new roots. Just keep it reasonably warm (like room temperature) If the pseudobulb turns mushy then you have a claim... definitely should have been shipped with a heat pack, although with that much delay, the heat pack would have pooped out - typically they're only good for about 72 hours. If you used regular USPS priority mail, you may be out of luck if the vendor doesn't step up... Priority Express Mail does include insurance. File for future reference... consider paying extra for FedEx, it isn't that much more (pretty comparable to Priority Express) but is more reliable. And also includes some insurance.

[Cymbaline]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Fortunately, this is the time for dormancy, though it looks like the plant hadn't been dormant. As long as the pseudobulb didn't freeze and turn to mush, the plant likely will be fine. Don't even worry about roots... if the pseudobulb survived, the new growth will produce new roots.

Duh! I knew that about the roots. That's very true. The p.bulb feels firm thankfully so here is hoping!

---------- Post added at 07:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:17 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Dr. Dave 4u

Wow...that bites!!!
I just ordered one myself and now I'm worried for mine...
Guess some growers just ship no matter, I've had growers hold and ship when its a bit warmer...

Fingers crossed yours is ok or recovers...

Does the grower guarantee live undamaged plant or is it at your own risk??

Did you buy yours off eBay? That's where I found mine. He does thankfully .

[Clawhammer]

It looks like it got cold but I think it will be fine. Those leaves should have dropped two months ago, so good riddance.

Congrats on a great plant, you will love it! One of my favorite fragrances.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I did a Google search for catasetum Wine Delight and kept coming up with Cycnoches Wine Delight. Is this the same plant?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

I did a Google search for catasetum Wine Delight and kept coming up with Cycnoches Wine Delight. Is this the same plant?

Actually, this one is Cycnodes Wine Delight, which is a cross between Mormodes and Cycnoches.

---------- Post added at 08:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Cymbaline

Any opinions on this? I just hope the actual bulb and roots didn't freeze and it's going to die.

That's a tough one! If the leaves froze, there's a good chance the bulb did too. Hopefully it works out! I think you'll know if the plant is toast in the next week or so.

[Keysguy]

Just to reiterate what everyone has said, it should be dormant now anyway so let those leaves drop off, keep it dry and I bet it will be just fine.