Blc. Ports of paradise "chief green" ???

[thegamejr]

Im trying to find out how i should go about caring for this plant. I got it off a clearance rack and didnt think it looked to bad from what i read. But i dont know where to begin on getting it healthy.

I read i should cut where the old bloom was but dont exactly know where to cut. And that yellow leaf os a sheath right? How would you tell if it has buds? What should i do with the leaves that have spots missing? I also took a picture of the roots on the surface and dont quite know if they look decent or not.

Any help woild be greatly appreciated.

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[Leafmite]

I wouldn't worry about the missing parts of the leaves. Your orchid looks quite healthy. I like to plant my cattleyas on top of my medium (I prefer lava rock as Ohio has crazy weather). A fertilizer that contains calcium will help keep new growths healthy. Planting high and giving calcium helps to avoid problems with rot.
Whatever medium you select should be fast draining and allow good airflow around the roots.
I give my cattleyas a south-facing window indoors and when they are outside, they get direct morning sun, then light shade in the afternoon.
Water when it dries completely (even in the middle of the pot.
Good luck!

[thegamejr]

Sounds simple enough with that. The window i use is south facing. Are the psudobulbs that have the brown over them a problem and how would i go about cutting where the old bloom fell off at?

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[Leafmite]

I don't really ever cut off the bloom spike as I don't like to bother sterilizing a pair of scissors. :|
The brown is a papery-thin outer layer over the pseudobulb that can be very carefully peeled away. Carefully as it is easy to break off the new eye (the point where the new growth will begin).
Your growing space seems perfect.

[tucker85]

I agree with Leafmite's suggestions. Let the plant dry completely before watering again. Since it's fall already, the plant probably won't grow much until spring so it doesn't need a lot of water or fertilizer.

[dounoharm]

wow! you got a deal off a clearance rack, lol....sounds like you have it under control...good luck with it!

[james mickelso]

I see three potential growth buds on this plant. The sheaths need to come off gently, carefully. I use tweezers for the task. Start low on the pbulb. You'll see where the lowest one starts. These sheaths hide bad guys which can jeopardize the new growth if leaft unchecked. Unless it gets really dark soon or cold, the new growth bud on the pbulb which just flowered will start to grow soon. Repot in spring as soon as you see growth. That will help the back bulbs to grow the buds I see on them. Bring it to use and we'll help you. For the rest of this year, let it rest and don't water until it's dry.

[thegamejr]

So im pretty much going to leave it to itself. And only water when completely dry. Then when i start to notice growing activity i should repot which should be in spring correct?

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[james mickelso]

Depending on where in Wa you live the sunlight is starting to wane. Longer nights and shorter days. As long as it doesn't get too cold the orchid will let you know when it is starting to grow in spring. The pbulb that just finished flowering will put out new roots shortly. But the growth of these will slow way down as winter gets near. Don't feed much and watch the water. You don't want the satrurated media to stay wet for long. I use the pot weight as an indicator of how wet the media is and when the pot is dry I water. Let the orchid dry out for a week. Then when really dry, pick it up and notice how light it is. Now water thoroughly and when it has drained all the excess water, pick it up and notice how heavy it is. Once the pot has become light again, water. Easy. Do it a couple times and it is the best method for gauging when the orchid needs to be watered.

[thegamejr]

Ok. And It shouldnt get cold i keep the house above 70 in the winter so i will watch for grwoth then. And are new growth the nubs at the base of a p bulb? Also at the first sign of growth is when i should repot correct? Because its still in the media that it came in.

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