Is this normal for a Cattleya or do I have a problem? - Orchid Board

Ingrid76 · #1 10-31-2009, 03:42 PM

I just bought this NOID Cattleya at a local orchid festival about a month ago. Everything seem to be fine, the blooms faded about two weeks ago, I cut them off and treated it with cinnamon, and placed it out side with the rest of my larger orchids. Well two days ago I noticed that the sheath on the pseudobulb that recently bloomed had an oval shaded brown spot. This spot is now turning the entire pseudobulb black. Is this normal for Cattleyas or is this some type of root? Could it be stained by the cinnamon?

Thanks,
Ingrid76

cb977 · #2 10-31-2009, 03:46 PM

What a lovely Catt!

I would gently remove that, spray the bulb with regular Listerine and rinse it well so you get runoff through the bottom of the pot. If there's any soft spot on the bulb, dab in some cinnamon again.

It should be fine...let us know how you do

Ingrid76 · #3 10-31-2009, 03:55 PM

Thanks for the quick response. Should I do this now or wait until the morning? Also, do I need to water it first or can I treat it dry?

cb977 · #4 10-31-2009, 03:57 PM

You can do it whenever you want...especially being in Florida! LOL

I would do it now but it's your choice. If you do it now, make sure the leaves don't stay wet

RenéeS · #5 10-31-2009, 04:09 PM

Hi Ingrid.
From what I can tell on your photo's it's just the 'protective cover' of the pseudobulb going black and drying out. On your pic I can't see brown spots on the bulb itself or am I not looking close enough?
The sheath of the bulb turning black and drying is normal and doesn't need to be taken off me thinks

.
Sorry if I saw it wrong tho.

cb977 · #6 10-31-2009, 04:17 PM

I always remove any sheaths that can be removed easily...they just create a perfect environment for pests to make themselves at home

It's always a personal choice when it comes to what we each do with our chids...part of what makes them so interesting

RenéeS · #7 10-31-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

I always remove any sheaths that can be removed easily...they just create a perfect environment for pests to make themselves at home

Ohh, interesting, Susanne, never realised that actually!

I keep mine indoors here tho, they're probably not as prone to pests here, although I do have the occasional mealybug plague, attacking my phals, grrr..!

Since you live in Florida just like Susanne, Ingrid, you may want to ignore me and follow her advice

cb977 · #8 10-31-2009, 04:24 PM

Ingrid76 · #9 10-31-2009, 04:47 PM

Thank you Susanne & Renee for your advise. It's so comforting to know I can find quality answers to my orchid questions here! I love this board!