Catt seedling rootrot

[Kailyn]

Hello
I have recently posted some pictures on my new catt seedlings 2/3 are doing great with visible root growth and a new shoot. The third I hadn't seen any signs of new roots and thought it might be too deeply potted when I took it out of its pot to rise it up slightly I noticed it has A LOT of root rot. They have all been treated the same so I am not sure of the cause. I am attaching pictures and want to know if i should proceed with it like i would with a root rotted phal (cut the bad roots off use cinnamon on the cut end and a rooting hormone to help it grow new roots?) I REALLY don't want to lose my baby. I have been putting them on a warming pad (along with an old phal I'm trying to encourage more root growth in). Any suggestions or guidance? it is sitting on my kitchen floor as pictured waiting for me to get brave, while I run to OB for moral support....

[silken]

Yes, you would proceed pretty much the same as for Phal root rot. Cut any mushy roots. I would soak it in seaweed water. I have used KLN and other rooting hormones but seaweed seems to work extra well and my Cattleyas respond particularly well to it. Then its up to you how you pot it. I haven't had much luck with sphag n bag as I always get mold. I would pot it in a tiny pot with some fine bark and a bit of moss and put it back on the heat mat. Seedlings usually need a little more moisture than adults but not too much. Let it get dry before watering. But don't leave it dry. The heat mat can dry them out fast, but the roots should like the warmth. I would consider soaking the whole little pot in seaweed water occasionally until you see some roots starting. Good luck. I hate losing an orchid. This one looks like it can survive.

It would do well to secure the plant into the pot so it doesn't move around. I find masking tape twisted in the middle of the strip so the sticky part is gone and put across the plant then fastened to the sides of the pot works as well as anything.

[WhiteRabbit]

It can be harder when babies lose their roots - they just have less resources to sustain them.
But, it's certainly not hopeless ...

After cutting away the rotted roots, I'd pot in a small pot with fresh media. Water appropriately. I use skewers in all my pots.

New roots will only come on new growth, so patience is required.

Good luck!

[Kailyn]

I re potted this little guy after trimming him up. used a dab of rooting hormone powder and am leaving it to dry for a couple days before I mist them with a weak solution of a kelp based fertilizer i have. its ratio is 1-1-1 It isn't KLN but I think it is basically similar. the substrate looked good and was still slightly moist so I re potted in the same mix with a bit of new coir. All my orchids now have a skewer in them. I really hope these guys pull through. I thought I had outgrown my days of over watering orchids

[silken]

Phals can be watered when still slightly damp but most Cattleyas like to dry out before being watered. I now prefer the seaweed (kelp) products to the KLN. My plants love the seaweed!

[Kailyn]

Am i right in assuming less is more with the kelp products as it is with other fertilizers? Availability in my area sucks! I am glad i found something that seems half decent.

[silken]

Too much of any growth hormone can cause strange growth anomalies. Use as directed. Here in Saskatoon kelp or seaweed as it is sometimes called is very hard to find. It seems most hydroponic places have some. We don't even have a hydroponics store here anymore. I have been getting mine from Edmonton when I am there.

[Kailyn]

This stuff is calling itself a seaweed fertilizer is that just an advertising mistake? it is from organic kelp and i was mistaken before it has a .1-.1-.5 ratio. will it still contain the rooting stimulant I am after?

[kindrag23]

Good, luck mine did the same thing, But slowly but surely it did slowly make a comeback. Good luck! keep us updated.

[silken]

Originally Posted by Kailyn

This stuff is calling itself a seaweed fertilizer is that just an advertising mistake? it is from organic kelp and i was mistaken before it has a .1-.1-.5 ratio. will it still contain the rooting stimulant I am after?

If it is from organic kelp, then it sounds like what you want. It usually isn't considered a fertilizer and is used in conjunction with a fertilizer. It contains growth hormones that mostly stimulate root growth. Your orchids still need a balanced fertilizer. The .1, .1, .5 ratio's are minimal and likely are just because kelp is a plant and gives up some nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as it breaks down. For the one with the poor roots. Don't give too much fertilizer as it can't take much up with no roots. Just use very dilute amounts.