Almost rootless mounted cattleya...

[The Orchid Boy]

I bought a cattleya from Lowes about a year ago. I mounted it but somehow almost all of it roots got broken off. (I think my cat did it.) It now has only 1 or 2 tiny, brownish roots. What should I do? Should I take it off the mount? (It's glued.) Throw it away? I would like to save it if possible.) Its pseadobubls have large ridges and look empty. (From not enough water?)

[calypsoB]

I think it might be advisable to remove it from the mount. It may be too dry to stimulate root growth. I lost all the roots on mine and I set it into a very small pot with a bit of moss below it. I gave it lots of misting and steam and after a few months it sprouted a new root. But it really needed the extra steam to keep it alive.

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[johnblagg]

I would place some moss around the base to hold moisture and set it closer to the humidifier if you have one ....I have saved several rootless catts that were back bulbs in fact usually in summer outside and I just lay them on the table and make sure they are by a spot that has a puddle of water that collects there ...since my table is bare plywood and gets soaked when I water humidity is high at the surface

[james mickelso]

I doubt that new roots will grow on existing bulbs but if you place some spagnum moss around the base of the bulbs and keep it moist you may stimulate the new lead/bud to start. I spag n bag my old back bulbs and it works most of the time. I would not take it off the mount. The entire thing can be potted. What is the condition of the leaves? Color? Texture? Is the lead bulb still supple or shriveled looking? Carefully look at the base of the lead. Can you see any new growth buds starting to differentiate on the lead bulb? That is what you should cultivate. That is what is important. It takes time but I refuse to throw anything away until it becomes firewood. Just keep it moist (not soggy) and keep it near some high humidity. Good luck.

[The Orchid Boy]

All the leaves are green and firm. The lead bulb is still good. I can see a tiny new growth and it has been there for a while. When will this new growth start growing?

[james mickelso]

The growth of the new bud/lead depends on the species you have. I have a catleya Mari's Song which has a bud that is about 1/2 an inch long and has been slowly elongating for about 6 mos. I have other backbulbs that have thrown out new growth in a month from differentiating. but if you have nice supple green leaves, I would pot it, mount and all in a very loose mix with a little shredded spanum moss thrown in. Water it once a week and keep it in a bright place. The new growth uses the energy from the oldd backbulbs to grow. The new growth will throw out roots depending again on the species. But if your current lead has nice green leaves, just keep it warm and bright and moist, not wet. It wi;ll be fine. Please let is know how it fares. I specialize in bringing back the dead. (I'm cheap and like the challenge).

[The Orchid Boy]

I like bringing back the dead too! I'm also cheap and enjoy the challenge. I know now that I shouldn't have mounted it. I do much better with orchids in pots.