New to the board, need advice on miniature and compact cattleyas - Orchid Board

SoCalOrchidGirl · #1 06-09-2014, 08:07 PM

Hi everyone,

I am new to the board and new to cattleyas. I purchased a few miniature and compact cattleyas from a really nice grower and received the plants last week. The plants are big and are in blooming size and have bloomed before. Currently all 4 are growing new shoots, some are growing multiple shoots when I received them. Only one plant has vigorous new root growth. When I received the plants, I unpotted all of them and took a look at the root system and they weren't bad at all. I also repotted them into fresh bark mediums and watered them since they have been in shipment for 7 days. Today I watered them again and noticed one of the cattleyas had root rot (I haven't had time to check the other 3). I took it out of the medium and noticed all the older roots were rotted, which is odd because I haven't overwatered. It has been a week since I last watered it and the potting mix was dry before I watered it today. Now I am wondering if I should have changed the potting mix at all. Will this affect the growth of the new shoots and flowering? Did I somehow screwed up? I heard that cattleyas are expecially sensitive to being repotted. Any advice would be great!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 06-09-2014, 09:32 PM

If the old roots were rotted, it was probably not your doing. I don't think it'll affect anything.

Although, pictures would be nice to see what's going on, just in case.

Just post 4 more arbitrary postings and you'll be able to post pics.

SoCalOrchidGirl · #3 06-10-2014, 12:20 AM

Thank you King for the quick reply. I came home and looked at the other 3, and I noticed 2 of them had rotten roots also. I trimmed the roots like I did with the other one, there's not a lot there, only the top roots are ok. I repotted the 3 and anchored it down with some wires since I trimmed most of the roots they are wobbly. The leaves are still firm and not wrinkly, and no sign of stress, given that they had rotten roots for a week (also some old pseudo bulbs are wrinkly, but I assume its normal, right?). I am really confused. How can you tell if your cattleyas are stressed and going downhill? From the outside, they look good and I didn't suspect rotting roots until I unpotted the plants.

james mickelso · #4 06-10-2014, 12:35 AM

The roots were rotted before you got them. The older pbulbs roots were storing water and starch/sugar and weren't important. The new growth is all that's important here. The new growth will start roots at some time but right now are relying on the older pbulbs to supply them with moisture and food. That is why the older pbulbs are wrinkling. Do not over water them. Let them alone for now. Water only when the media has dried out thoroughly. Get some seaweed root stimulant and use it. Some cattleyas send out new growth which grow roots right away. Some grow for awhile and then throw roots. While others grow and even bloom before growing roots. Those old pbulbs are very important as storage for the new growth. Their roots aren't that important. Keep the orchids in small pots and don't over water. Cattleyas are very hardy and take a lot of stress with ease.

SoCalOrchidGirl · #5 06-10-2014, 01:42 AM

Thanks James! You made me feel much better. I thought I did something wrong. I haven't overwatered and I will make sure the medium dries out before watering again. The roots that have rotted away are from the old pseudo bulbs. The new shoots on one of the cattleyas have developed new roots and the other cattleyas are starting to develop shoots so that makes sense why they haven't develop new roots. I will post some pictures to show what they look like.

Thanks again!

---------- Post added at 09:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 PM ----------

Also where can I get some seaweed root stimulants?

james mickelso · #6 06-10-2014, 02:28 AM

Firstrays.com. Ray is an expert here on the OB and sells some good root stimulant. I get some at a local hydroponics store. I'm actually trying some new secret root stimulant right now that so far is scary good stuff. Roots all over the place.

plantbuddy · #7 06-10-2014, 09:44 AM

Been there, done that.

The root tips are the most sensitive and vulnerable parts of the plant, so they'd be the first parts to suffer during shipment. Even on a stable potted one they're subject to damage by abrasion.

After a week in a damp thrown-around box they'd look like root rot had set in, but it may just be root tip death. Repot and care for as usual and they should be fine.