Catt with rotten roots

[wjbrown]

This one shriveled up gradually, but I just looked at the roots now. I trimmed off most of the root structure that was soft. It smelled like rich humus. Do you think it will survive? What should I do to try to save it?

[Becca]

Hi! I am no expert, but I have had to do this to many of my plants.....the best thing to do when they are like your pictures is to use the Sphag-n-bag method, see the following link for some great instructions from Ray Barklow at First Rays: Sphag-n-Bag

And I would also recommend to read Ray's comments on this thread....it is the 6th posting down in the thread: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...treatment.html

I hope this will help! I have used this technique on several of my 'chid's and I would say about 90% of the time I have been able to save them! Good luck!

[Ross]

What she said! I just threw a seedling Cat away 'cause it never sprung out of it's pout from first transplant. Roots didn't rot like the ones in the photo above, but just dried up and wouldn't respond. Didn't pay much for it (as I recall) and don't want to baby these guys. Either grow or out they go!

[euplusia]

The sphagnum bag was my first idea too. Good links, RPfeiffer. My plants had contact with the moss. And use an insecticide, wjbrown. Then be patient - it works.

[justatypn]

Firm believer in sphag-n-bag method, works everytime until just today, had to throw away my first paph, was a brat from the start.

don't want to baby these guys. Either grow or out they go!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by justatypn

Firm believer in sphag-n-bag method, works everytime until just today, had to throw away my first paph, was a brat from the start.

What did I say Truely, I have such a limited space and so many wants, that it doesn't take much to create a niche for a newby. I am in planning stages this winter to knock out a wall and create a new, bigger bay-window grow area. (That would occur in spring). We'll see if finances hold out and if this project comes to fruistion.

[Leisurely]

I see a white looking substance on the pseudobulbs. Looks like scale. Check closely to see if you have any green dormant eyes at the base of the bulbs. Often when scale attacks the dormant eyes are attacked and killed then there is no place left for the plant to "sprout" a new growth so it never will be productive again. Don't spend your time on a plant that is this far gone. I have done this before on a very special plant or two and end up throwing it in the trash anyhow. Use your space for something that will produce for you and that you can enjoy.

[justatypn]

Good eye Jerry, looking deep into the rooting system overlooking most likely the obvious...

more room in spring. I can understand the limited space...just gotta get the cooking toys out of the nook and that would be like taking out a wall

[Gin]

Looks like scale to me , miserable stuff , I agree with Jerry. Gin

[Palito]

before anything, add lots of fungicide and bactericide. That smell you mention is an infection. maybe it's fusarium, which means the plant wont recover.