Cattleya with shriveled pseudobulbs

[801229001]

Hello,
I purchased a cattleya in bloom 2 days ago.today I noticed that the pseudobulbs were shriveling.only the newest pseudobulb was still plump. Why is this happening?

[WhiteRabbit]

How shriveled are they? Older pbulbs will deplete somewhat with age, but severe shriveling is an indication of a problem - either too much water having caused root rot, or too little water - But if the newest pbulb is plump, if there was a previous issue, sounds like it's been corrected.

[tucker85]

You judge the hydration of a cattleya by the newest pseudobulbs. The old pseudobulbs are often badly wrinkled and it's almost impossible to get them to rehydrate. I like at least the first two pseudobulbs to be plump and if three are plump that's even better.

Going forward, if you get good roots to grow and keep those roots from rotting, you can grow cattleyas that have lots of good plump pseudobulbs and they'll be healthier plants. Good luck.

[801229001]

All the pseudobulbs were plump when I purchased it.
3 pseudobulbs are still plump.

The smaller pseudobulbs are more shriveled than the larger ones, which just developed some ridges.
The roots see fine although the media is packed in very tightly.

Could it be that the flowers are sucking the water/nutrients out of the pseudobulbs? There are 4 spikes all blooming at once.

The plant is Blc. Young- Min Orange 'golden satisfaction'

[james mickelso]

As you surmised the back pseudobulbs are shriveling due to the flower spikes growing and blooming. It is natural. The pbulbs will continue to shrivel, one after the other, until the flowers fall. Give it lots of light and warmth, and that may lessen the water/starch loss rate. But don't keep it wet. Most catts flower in the dry season when their pollinators are out cavorting around looking for a snack.

[mamasanlzn]

Mine is shriveling too but I water it weekly and give it lots of light. It is shriveling more but there is no spikes since it is only two years old. Any ideas?

[WhiteRabbit]

Too much, or too little water?

[mamasanlzn]

To be honest, I am not sure how much water I am giving it. It is well draining, so I am only think it is a disease.

[james mickelso]

if the roots are in good shape then there may be a problem with the media drying too quickly or draining too fast for the roots to take up the moisture thoroughly enough. the weight of the pot should increase a lot if the media is absorbing the water.

[WhiteRabbit]

Try using a skewer to check moisture. You can also use a freshly sharpened pencil.