Help! Is this Cattleya dead???

[lumpy01]

My sister gave me this cattleya last weekend while I was helping her move. She said it was slowly deteriorating and hoped I could save it - but I know nothing about orchids. Is it dead already??? I want to try to revive it as I was told the blooms are green. The plant's leaves are brown and wrinkled and the base of the plant is black. What should I do? Help!!

[gixrj18]

It has severe fungus. You might be able to save the middle one or two bulbs (depending on where the black part stops), if you remove it right now....and treat with copper fungicide(can be found at Home Depot or Lowes). Make sure you sterilize whatever you use to cut it (over open flame). The rest of the plant looks like it's done. Be sure to cut away any black, and cover the wound in cinammon. As long as there is black, it will continue to spread. I would then repot the stalk/stalks in new pot and medium, and cross your fingers. Throw away the bad stuff, you don't want it around your plants!

[lumpy01]

I watered the plant 2 days ago. Should I let it dry out first? Should I cut any of the roots back?

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by lumpy01

I watered the plant 2 days ago. Should I let it dry out first? Should I cut any of the roots back?

The fungus is spreading, as we speak! The longer you wait, the less likely you are to salvage any of it. I would do it immediately. Cut away anything that looks dead, black, soft, or mushy! Put cinammon on any cuts that you make, it will allow the wound to dry up and help keep fungus out.

[lumpy01]

Thanks for the info. I couldn't get up from my chair fast enough to do as you advised. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Becky15349]

Good luck! Here are some tips for keeping the part you salvaged alive:

1. Repot into good, clean, new orchid media
2. Do NOT overwater. Water 1x per week, and no more.
3. Keep it in a low-light area for 4-6 days until it has recooperated from the repotting.
4. After the 4-6 days, slowly introduce it to higher light levels. Since it will take time to recooperate it, do not put it in full sun for more than 1-2 hours, and never past noon, because afternoon sun is too hot.
5. When you water, use weak fertilzer mixed into the water.


Good luck!