Catt seedling rootrot

[Kailyn]

This poor little Catt isn't looking so good even with minimal water the roots that looked like they might come around have all dried up and are pretty much all gone. i have to over a glass with a bit of water in the bottom and a baggie on top for humidity and a small bit of spag wrapped around the base. I have seen phals come back from something this bad but I don't know about this poor catt. Has anyone rescued one with hardly any root left? (the leaves still look really good)

[ALToronto]

Put it in lava rock and set the pot in a dish with pure water. It looks like you over-dried it. There is a big difference between waterlogged media (what you usually get with bark, coconut husk and sphagnum), and constantly moist roots that can breathe. The former will rot an orchid, the latter will help it thrive.

What's your water quality? I would use only pure water while this catt recovers. You don't mention where in Canada you live - can you collect some snow and melt it?

[Kailyn]

I'm in Thunder Bay Ontario, no snow in town yet but Ill bring myself a bucket when I head out to see my horse tomorrow.
I have never tried lava rock ( or seen it around for that matter) and I'm kinda worried about making that drastic of a media change with a seedling. Will it try to put out new roots from its existing growth or will it need to wait for another pseudo bulb to develop?

[silken]

Old growths don't usually produce new roots. But when I have soaked mine in seaweed, I have seen old, healthy roots put out many new branches from the existing ones.

[ALToronto]

Usually a new growth will develop first, and then it will put out new roots. In the meantime, the plant will pull nutrients out of existing growths to feed the new growth. Yours looks like it can sustain it.

You can buy lava rock (red or black) at landscaping outlets. Sometimes fireplace/bbq stores carry it as well.

[Kailyn]

when you soak in seaweed do you use the concentration recommended on the bottle?

[silken]

Originally Posted by Kailyn

when you soak in seaweed do you use the concentration recommended on the bottle?

I do.

[Nexogen]

From AOS:
"Some orchids enter a period of partial or full dormancy; they will require a rest period at this time of year, and could be adversely affected if they do not receive one. As temperatures drop and daylight is reduced, their growth slows down or even stops, depending on the species or hybrid. The quantities of water and fertilizer they required for spring and summer growth are no longer needed and could negatively affect the plant unless reduced accordingly. Excess water can accelerate the breakdown of organic growing media (such as pine bark and sphagnum moss) and lead to root and plant rots. A surplus of fertilizer can accumulate in the growing media until the fertilizer salts burn the orchid’s root and leaf tips, and actually inhibit rather than enhance growth."

[MaisyMay]

I will be very interested to see how this works out for you, I have a blooming size Catt with hardly any roots due to rot that I am trying to save. Good luck.

[Kailyn]

Ill keep this post updated on any progress so far they are maintaining which ill take as a good sign since it isn't declining.