What should I do with this cattleya?

[gnathaniel]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

If you cut it, the chances of the entire growth dying anyways, is rather high.

I still disagree, my (limited) experience with various sympodial orchid genera, including Cattleya, doesn't bear this out. The actual growth point of the new lead isn't contained in the leaf, it's at the point where the leaf grows from. By cutting the leaf well clear of visible blight you hopefully prevent the pathogen from reaching the growth point, which often results in loss of the lead. I've cut several leaves in situations like this and I've yet to see it adversely affect pseudobulb development. YMMV, of course.

Additionally, once a fungal or other infection gets into the other pseudobulbs or rhizome, the whole plant will be in jeopardy and more toxic interventions (systemic fungicides) may be required to save it. Far better to risk losing a single lead than to jeopardize the whole plant. Again, just my , for what it's worth!

--Nat

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by gnathaniel

...Additionally, once a fungal or other infection gets into the other pseudobulbs or rhizome, the whole plant will be in jeopardy and more toxic interventions (systemic fungicides) may be required to save it. Far better to risk losing a single lead than to jeopardize the whole plant. Again, just my , for what it's worth!

--Nat

That's a good point.

I didn't think of it that way.

I guess if the blight is removed, just let whatever be may be. Let chance do what it may.

Making small sacrifices to prevent larger disasters sounds good to me.

In light of this, then I'd have to concur.

Commence with the amputation!

[orchidvalley]

I agree with Nat that you should cut the black area off. More pictures would be helpful to see the extent of the damage. I had a plant that the new growth was broken off leaving two inches of leaf left. The remaining portion of leaf and pseudo bulb continued to grow. So it shouldn't affect the growth of the pseudo bulb if you have to cut away part of the leaf.

To help prevent this in the future watch that you don't water too late in the day, or on cloudy days and make sure that you have good air circulation. I always watch how I water my plants that are in growth as well.

[gnathaniel]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

...Commence with the amputation!

I've gotten pretty free with the cutting since I lost some plants to apparent fungal infections. I grow indoors and have a toddler at home, so I've decided to totally eschew the use of more toxic interventions like fungicides (I occasionally use physan 20 in VERY controlled circumstances). When rot shows up, out come the (well-sterilized) clippers and the cinnamon!

--Nat

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Even without a kid, I'm reluctant to use those kinds of chemicals.

I just don't know what they'd do to certain plants or me.

If I had a child, I'd be extremely careful too. Almost everything goes in their mouths.

[prc11]

Temp.

Day:75 f
Night:63-68 f
Seasonal: Haven't had the chance to measure yet

Humidity: 40-50% I know it is low.

Lighting: Under lights

Pot size: The size is really good for roots. I need to repot though because new leads are over the side.

Air movement: Is Medium Low

This Plant seems healthy if it was not for this. It has two new leads and the other has a sheath.

[prc11]

Her are some pictures. As you can see I did not help the earlier lead grow straight. I received this in flower aswell as many other plants from a man with many orchids. I only recently put lights in and everything took off. I also showed the other lead with a sheath. I wanted to show I was doing something right with the plant. I already cut the leaf, so I guess that is that.

[gnathaniel]

Looks like a good set-up! Don't sweat a little bit of rot, fungus happens to everyone, it's just part of growing tropical epiphytes in odd conditions... I've found that increasing airflow with fans greatly decreases rot problems of all sorts, even when temperatures aren't optimal.

--Nat

[got ants]

Originally Posted by orchidvalley

I agree with Nat that you should cut the black area off.

HEY!!!!! It was me who first went up against the King. Then he went on a tirade and fer while there I felt this big [pinches-thumb-to-forefinger]. I was cringing in my seat. Then King retracts and now Nat gets the credit. Sheesh, what's a guy got to do around here.

OK, so maybe I didn't articulate my reasoning (same as Nat's) better to attempt to spare the lead over the whole plant.

But alas, it looks from those pics the plant needs repotting anyhoos. And if the lead is the one pointing down, just whack that thing off.

I better stop before my head swells up and I fall over and get a brain hemmorage.

PS [edit] (I forgot to capitalize King)

[johnblagg]

I read this and agree totaly with cutting it off ....YOU HIT it Ants good advice I think....


I have only been growing catts for a little over a year but if I see black like that on a leaf....that leaf is gone no waiting for it to spread more.

Everything I have ever read always says black rot is very fast spreading and needs removed quickly.

I have trimmed off the end of leaves and had the green healthy part live just fine and the Pb finish plump and healthy a little smaller but healty.Not once have I ever heard anyone recommend leaving a huge blackened portion of a leaf and wait and see if it spreads to the rest of the plant.