Cattleya Struggles - Orchid Board

mamasanlzn · #1 02-08-2014, 11:25 AM

My cattleya was thriving when I first got it. My infant knocked over the pot and it has been struggling since. I placed it in a orchid basket and it was very well ventalated but I think it wasn't getting enough water. The roots just shrived up to nothing. I decided to do an emergency repot back into a clay pot. I did see some need root growth coming from the old dry roots. Is there anything more I should try to do??

james mickelso · #2 02-08-2014, 11:41 AM

just water it and give it medium light. orchids are slow. come spring it will get going.

Optimist · #3 02-08-2014, 01:43 PM

I agree. Most of my cattelyas were rootless rescues. It has taken at least six months for even an inch of healthy root to form . Basically pot them in an airy, big chunk mix, make sure when you water, the water goes through the pot. Let them dry out a bit. If it has lalia in it, it can dry quite a bit. The new growth will be white with little green tips. Keep the plant steady in the pot, also, because when it moves another root may break.

mamasanlzn · #4 02-08-2014, 08:18 PM

The larger cattleya grew an inch of root in a month and it is sitting with no media, which made me concern about the smaller one. I do feel better that it can take a long time for development.

Another question... would the roots drying up cause the eye to emerge and grow?

james mickelso · #5 02-09-2014, 03:05 AM

No. Stress doesn't make them grow or not grow. That pbulb was ready to develop and grow that "eye". If you went to an orchid nursery and looked at how their cattleyas are grown, you'ld see bright light, feel warmth and a good breeze. It would also feel humid but that isn't necessary to grow good orchids for the most part. Warmth, bright light, and breezy. Throw in a little fertilizer and the right amount of water (twice weekly if the correct conditions are met. In your home environment, it is cool, darker than most catts like and no air movement. See the difference? The closer you are to how they were grown in the greenhouse where it came from, the faster it will grow. But catts can grow well despite all we don't give them albeit more slowly. I have grown quite a few cattleyas and laelias without any media. Just hanging on a wire. It's the same as mounting them. Couple years ago I posted a series of an orchid that was just that. Hanging on a wire. Grew just fine and I still have it. I mounted it on a rescue board just because at the time I was going to sell the rest of my collection. It is getting ready to throw a spike. Probably bloom next summer or fall. So give your cats as much as you can and remember to not overwater them.

---------- Post added at 02:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 AM ----------

Mama, can you post a couple pics of your plants? Love to see them.

mamasanlzn · #6 02-09-2014, 11:56 PM

This the lime green krull smith, the larger cattleya, Sitting on a bed of stag moss right now with no other media. Roots grew an inch in a month.

---------- Post added at 10:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 PM ----------

This is my small cattleya Ching Hua Spots. This is the one that I was referring to in this post. That was the root system before my infant broke the pot, causing the downward spiral.

james mickelso · #7 02-10-2014, 12:51 AM

Both have a good chance of growing the new pbulbs. The roots are growing ok. Orchids are slow growers and these will take time to get going. Whatever you are doing just keep on doing it. orchids don't need to be potted in anything to grow. You're doing well. If you can talk with Ray at firstrays.com and get some of his kelpmax. That would be really good for these.

WhiteRabbit · #8 02-10-2014, 05:16 PM

I see growing roots - so that's definitely a good sign!

Most orchids with pbulbs can be extremely resilient even if they go awhile without roots.

mamasanlzn · #9 04-02-2014, 04:30 PM

Some advice, please. I finally got the roots long enough to pot and take outside. The roots are soft and mushy! I had to cut them all off and start again. I don't know if they will grow out again. We have had rain the last few days, but the mix feels dry to the touch. I stag and bagged it. What more can I do if I am having the same problem with these catts?

shushu45 · #10 04-02-2014, 05:16 PM

With warmer weather and longer days coming my two Catt.s r going bananas. Lots and lots of roots and a few new growths.

I love seeing new roots and growth. It makes me giddy as a school girl. Hehe.

Happy growing and best wishes to u!!