Soak Time for a rescue

[cabbo]

I'm trying to revive a friends NOID Cattleya with completely shriveled p/bulbs. How long can I soak it to try and plump them back up? Dont want to makes things worse with root rot.

[WhiteRabbit]

I think you could soak for a few hours with no worry - I have soaked plants over-night or longer.
Tho the pbulbs may be depleted and not plump up, especially if roots are dead.

[cabbo]

I trimmed up the roots a little but there are plenty of viable roots left. The newer bulbs look alright and from what i've read the older extremely shriveled ones may not come back at all. I've always been worried about soaking for longer than an hour and wasn't sure how long I could push it. Overnight seems like it would help.

[got ants]

Chris, I'm surprised others have not already put in the usual, and mostly correct, but as with any work being done on orchids, such as repot/soak/trim/add/etc.., any of which depends on the plants itself. I prefer to let the `chid tell ME what it wants.

So basically it all depends on the species or hybrid you are dealing with, it's condition or more accurately, it's issues, the actual truth is it may vary, even with identical plants and similar conditions.

I would suggest you not set a time period, but occasionally check it and see if it tells you when it's done.


Do you have any Super Thrive you can add a drop of water in a bucket to water it with? Maybe some root hormone? That's what I normally add to my water to repot... 5 gallon bucket a third full. One drop of Super Thrive. A quarter cap of root hormones (KLN), and pinch of granular soluble fertilizer. Stir bucket and add plant. Couple of hours at most, maybe because I'm impatient, and repot. I'd then use that water to add to the new plants the next couple of waterings. and then only God will tell.

Good luck and keep us apprised. GA

[mojomick]

Be careful not to use the same water for more than one plant or you run the risk of spread of disease and that is not a happy time.