Frozen leaves, what to do?

[IdahoOrchid]

I received a catt aliance orchid recently. I was excited about how large it seemed as I was removing it from the package.

My excitement waned and my jaw dropped once I got all the packaging off of the plant. Huge portions were dark and black. My first thought was freeze damage, but this is September and it was shipped from Florida.

Could anything else have caused this damage?

Is there anything I can do to save the plant and reduce the effects of the damage?

Will the new, small growth be OK?

[cb977]

I'd be calling the company I ordered it from!

[quiltergal]

Wow Steven! How disappointing! Yep a phone call or and email with picture attachment is in order.

As for the plant I'd cut off as much of the black as possible and see what she does.

[IdahoOrchid]

Originally Posted by cb977

I'd be calling the company I ordered it from!

That is not an issue in this case. It was acquired from a private party and I have contacted them.

My main concern now is how to SAVE this plant.

[cb977]

If it were mine, I'd cut off the leaves, give it a spritz of regular Listerine and seal the cuts with cinnamon...from there, I'd treat it as a regular Catt and hope for the best.
It would also get repotted as I do with every orchid that finds it way to my house

Let's see what the other folks suggest...

[Oscarman]

Ouch!! I perfected the freezing of Cattleyas in one day (or was that night!) and the damage looks very similar. Perhaps it was shipped with some very frozen goods? A box with dry ice or other very frozen goods packed next to yours could easily get to plant freezing temps. Is it possibly excess heat damage in transit?

Trim and sterilize the cuts. Hopefully the damage does not spread to the pseudobulbs. I am sure with TLC the new growth will make it. A slow recovery is on its way.

I would not repot right now unless the media is really poor, instead waiting until new root growth is evident. This plant has had enough stress.

[Lagoon]

Aw what a shame! I agree, not much you can just 'cept cut off the bad areas and wait it out. I would not repot unless you really had too - check the media for insects and roots for rot.
Does the plant have any other other growth, maybe dormant eyes?

Good luck with your plant

[cneos]

If you've ever monitored your 'flight in progress,' you'll noticed outside temps at -50 or -60 celsius. It's not much warmer in a plane's cargo bay.

Cut off all the black tissue and seal the edges with alcohol, listerine etc. But also repot to make sure that the roots weren't affected.

If you plan to do anymore shipping, get yourself a supply of 'instant heat' packs at your local hardware or sporting goods store