Very sick dry cattleya...

[NeoOrchid]

Hello all:
Just recently I added another victim of neglect to my "orchid hospital": a large VERY dry cattleya; tag is Lc Ronnie von.
I've done all the rescucitation manuevers that I know of as a newbie; repot, nutrients, root hormone, watering, proper light...trying to give her time but she seems to be going backward instead of forward!
Leaves continue to be yellowish-green, dry and split in the center. There are very few thin living roots; I repotted this cattleya in a mix of medium bark, perlite, charcoal and volcanic rock.
I've been watering when the pot feels light and the medium feels dry when I put my finger in approx. an inch or more.
BTW, this cat is approx. 18in. tall.

I'm having great luck with my other patients! All appear to be phals woefully neglected at Walmart (of all places) all gotten for $1 or less!
With great advice from all of you I am seeing new growth on all but one! My
bloomers continue to be quite content.

I'd really appreciate any advice, suggestion, and/or experiences any of you have regarding this cat.

Thank you again!
NeoOrchid

[kiki-do]

I don't have the right answer for you, probably, but I had one Catt. that was at the point of almost tossing it. Did everything I could think of. So I potted it into a clay pot in about the same medium you are using, then I placed the clay pot down into a glass flower vase filled half way with water, with a big enough opening so the pot lid rests on the vase lip. The water is not touching the pot, but giving it extra moisture. The pot is getting good air cause it's not down into the vase but balancing on the lip of it. By gosh, it took a couple weeks, but I had signs of growth. Today I have a sheathe coming. (It's been a long process, though). Sorry, but that's all I've got! I actually think I have a pic of it in my gallery photos.

[isurus79]

Thats actually a pretty interesting plan that Kiki has. Thought Ive never tried it myself, I might be inclined to try it if I was in your situation! If your pot is too big to fit in a vase or other water container, it might be as simple as watering more often. If you just repotted (which you said you did) then you should water more than usual. New bark tends to be overly dry, so it either takes a few weeks of extra watering to break it in, or you can soak it for 24-48 hours before you use the bark in a pot. If you do not soak it before potting, the bark can actually take moisture out of the roots. If I were you, I would crank up the watering regimine somewhat for a month or two, at least until you can see new growth or until the p bulbs get plump again. For example, if you normally water 2x per week, then increased it to 4x per week. Dont worry about rot with new media, though dont create a soggy mess either! Then after a few months, back off on the water to a more normal regimine (ie. watering when the pot feels light). Posting pics would definitely help too. Good luck!

[Ray]

They key is high humidity, to keep the plant from desiccating while it grows new roots.

Water the plant thoroughly, then put the whole shootin' match in a clear plastic bag and seal it up. Keep it warm and shady (so it won't become a broil-in-bag treatment), and be patient.

[NeoOrchid]

Thank you everyone!
I had an "instinctive urge" to soak this orchid but being a newbie, didn't do it. I will take your advice(s) and happily soak away! I know this orchid will thank you as well!
NeoOrchid