catt looking stressed what should I do? - Orchid Board

SlipperGirl · #1 03-09-2013, 10:18 AM

my cattleya dowiana v aurea leaves and pseudobulbs are wrinkled what should I do. Its planted in a wooden basket and lava rock gets about 50% humidity and temps are about 65F 70F in the day and about 62F at night.

tucker85 · #2 03-09-2013, 10:49 AM

It's probably in a resting state right now so no matter what you do, it won't help much. Water really well, once a week for now. When you see the first sign of new growth (root or pseudobulb) then start watering more but allow the media to dry completely between waterings. In my environment orchids in baskets dry out in about eight hours. When they're actively growing I often water every other day. Your environment may be different. Back bulbs sometimes won't rehydrate no matter what you do. Especially if they don't have good roots. So when new growth starts you can judge if it's getting enough water by the plumpness of the new pseudobulbs. New pseudobulbs should not be wrinkled at all. When you water, drench the orchid really well. Often growers will come back in 15 minutes and drench real well a second time.

SlipperGirl · #3 03-09-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tucker85

It's probably in a resting state right now so no matter what you do, it won't help much. Water really well, once a week for now. When you see the first sign of new growth (root or pseudobulb) then start watering more but allow the media to dry completely between waterings. In my environment orchids in baskets dry out in about eight hours. When they're actively growing I often water every other day. Your environment may be different. Back bulbs sometimes won't rehydrate no matter what you do. Especially if they don't have good roots. So when new growth starts you can judge if it's getting enough water by the plumpness of the new pseudobulbs. New pseudobulbs should not be wrinkled at all. When you water, drench the orchid really well. Often growers will come back in 15 minutes and drench real well a second time.

thanks

tucker85 · #4 03-09-2013, 04:47 PM

Since the orchid is in lava rock only you might want to water twice a week right now. If the orchid is in a resting period it won't use much of the water but at least it will keep the roots from drying out too much.

Leafmite · #5 03-09-2013, 08:16 PM

This past fall, I bought some seedling catts from a different vendor and upon unpotting, I found no good roots (the company, incidently, does not believe roots survive repottings...not at all my philosophy--my dowiana didn't come from there, fortunately). The seedlings will be set back but I am fully confident of their ability to survive, just as I believe your dowiana will. Just make certain it is steady (can't move) and patiently wait for the new growths and roots. If the roots are good, water, if not, water won't help.

SlipperGirl · #6 03-10-2013, 05:50 PM

thanks I hope it will be ok

Leafmite · #7 03-10-2013, 06:22 PM

I think it will be fine. Just add an extra year to when it will bloom. That is what I figure with my wrinkled seedlings. At least, with the rock, you won't need to move it again. My schroederae is already getting started on a new growth so dowiana should be getting started very soon.

escualida · #8 03-10-2013, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

This past fall, I bought some seedling catts from a different vendor and upon unpotting, I found no good roots (the company, incidently, does not believe roots survive repottings...not at all my philosophy--my dowiana didn't come from there, fortunately). The seedlings will be set back but I am fully confident of their ability to survive, just as I believe your dowiana will. Just make certain it is steady (can't move) and patiently wait for the new growths and roots. If the roots are good, water, if not, water won't help.

Which vendor was this so we can avoid it?

Leafmite · #9 03-10-2013, 07:06 PM

It wasn't Hausermann's or Al's Orchid Greenhouse, I assure you. I won't order from the vendor again as I have been so spoiled by my favorite vendors and really do prefer them. I just never have had such a disappointing experience. The cattleya seedlings were smaller than anticipated and the milt was pretty much DOA (it had a bit of rot that proved unstoppable). Because the company is run by very decent people and I was at fault for not calling, I am not going to name them. This wouldn't be at all fair to anyone. The cattleyas will certainly recover and, in a couple of years, no one will ever know. After seeing how fast that milt went under, I think I'll admire them at shows and refrain from trying to grow them.