HELP....cattleya sunburn NEWBIE

[jaxy86]

I've had this cattleya since October of last year. When I got her she had plump pseudopods, a ton of healthy roots, and lush green leaves (refer to my previous post for details http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ssistance.html)... because of my ignorance, she's got no roots (hasn't had any for months) and her leaves are seriously dehydrated. I've implemented the "sphag in a bag" method in hopes that her leaves would re-hydrate and that it would stimulate some root growth.

I put her outside this morning in the sun like an IDIOT for about 30 min with the bag on her. I no idea that this would, in fact, be extremely harmful to her....she is now suffering major sunburn and I am seriously freaking out.

Please help me.... can the sunburn go away?

Jaxy

[gnathaniel]

Yeah, sunburn is unfortunately permanent once acquired, though it may change some over the next few days/weeks. Keep an eye on it and if the tissue goes soft and black areas start spreading, cut the leaves well into green parts and dust cut edges with cinnamon. If it stays firm or dies in a dried-out way, you can safely ignore it. Sunburn is unsightly but past the initial tissue damage and occasional ensuing rot it doesn't seem to cause lasting problems. In general it's a good idea to keep dehydrated/recovering plants in lower light than they'd ordinarily enjoy, as their ability to cool by transpiration is compromised.

Distressed Catts (backbulbs, etc.) sprout better for me when I keep them a little drier rather than more humid. Mounting on wood is one of the easier ways to do this and most Catts are ridiculously easy to grow mounted. You could also prop the plant in a pot of gravel that you water once every day or two. I've done some in clay pots half-full of gravel, then when new roots start I top up the pot with sphagnum moss, keeping the plant's rhizome just above the moss surface. Try looking up some of James Mickelso's posts, he's rehabbed many Catts and has pictures and descriptions of various methods. Richard Lindberg's site blog.backbulb.com is another good resource, I think he uses the gravel method a lot. Hope this helps and good luck!

[jaxy86]

So I should leave it un-bagged then? The burn is spreading. It's worse since I posted and looks as if it's getting bigger my the minute.

I have a new growth coming in that was thankfully not affected....any suggestions?

[gnathaniel]

I'd leave it unbagged in a cool area with good air movement and just watch it for a day or two. Sunburn is tissue destruction from heat, UV, or both. If the damage is spreading then the orchid is still too hot (cool it with running water), already has a secondary infection (unlikely, even bacteria wouldn't establish and spread so fast), or the damage is more extensive than it first appeared. Over the next few weeks you may see the leaves develop some purple color in patches or speckles, this is a natural response to high light in many Laeliinae. If you have a new growth starting this is a good time to mount or pot it, just take good care of it and watch for infection in damaged areas. Catts are tough, just give it a good situation and it'll probably be fine. I've burned plants way worse than that and usually the worst that happens is they get a little uglier for a while.

[jaxy86]

Thank you so much....I can't tell you how comforting it is to read that. I will keep an eye on it and update if anything else develops!

Thanks again

[silken]

Nat has given you good advice. I would avoid moist sphag n bag atmosphere now as it would encourage bacteria to grow in the damaged tissue. The new growth should be able to draw energy from the mature pseudobulbs and put out roots and the plant should recover.

[jaxy86]

Originally Posted by silken

Nat has given you good advice. I would avoid moist sphag n bag atmosphere now as it would encourage bacteria to grow in the damaged tissue. The new growth should be able to draw energy from the mature pseudobulbs and put out roots and the plant should recover.

Now that you mention it silken, I did notice some white hairy lookin stuff in the sphag moss before I threw it out....I washed the rhizome with hydrogen peroxide just to be sure.

[Orchid126]

You can use a triple antibiotic cream from the drugstore to combat infection.

[NYCorchidman]

It reminds me of my old mistake.
I burned off an entire leaf in less than half an hour under a hot lamp. what an idiot!
It was a learning experience for me though.

I think you can just leave the plant as is. The burned area on the leaves will stay but unless some infection sets in, the plant seals out the dead area on its own.

Nothing you can do further, just nurish it back to health.

It was easy for me as the entire leaf was burned down. black and crisp dry!
Good luck!

[silken]

Originally Posted by jaxy86

Now that you mention it silken, I did notice some white hairy lookin stuff in the sphag moss before I threw it out....I washed the rhizome with hydrogen peroxide just to be sure.

The hydrogen peroxide was likely a good precautionary step. Good luck with your Cattleya. They are hardy and usually recover fine. Just get another one now to keep it company