Orchid Rehab, Fertilizer and Seaweed Extract

[Shep]

Hi Folks,
I was fortunate enough to be gifted several very mature NOID Cattleyas that were once thriving but fell on hard times. Irregular watering and chewing roaches led to dead roots and poor leaf growth. However, the psuedobulbs, though shriveled, seem to still have life. Nothing is brown or yellow-dead. At least, what was dead was removed when the plants were broken up and repotted.

Now it's a waiting game to see what lives and what doesn't. Time will be the judge on that one, for sure. Frankly, I'll be thrilled if half of the five or so divisions make it. One is already putting out two new psuedobulbs in opposite directions already, so there's hope.

My question is about seaweed extract and fertilization schedules. From what I gather, seaweed extract promotes new root growth on actively growing plants. Mine are kind of in a purgatory. They need new roods, but from what I understand, growth will be somewhat slowed due to climate conditions.

Pertinent Info-
We're experiencing typical winter climates here in Memphis, and the plants are living in front of a (relatively) bright, south-facing window with no signs of sunburn. Humidity is hanging around 50%. Daytime temps are in the mid 60s (cloudy) to low 70s (sunny) during the day and low 60s at night. I'm watering my other Catts weekly and they are drying out between wateings. Winter fertilization includes monthly applications of 1/2 tsp. of Miracle Gro per gallon of water.

1- Should I apply seaweed extract when I'm watering to promote new growth? If yes, how often? Weekly? Every other week? Monthly?

2- Should I fertilize the way that I'm fertilizing my other plants? Everything seems to be holding up really well, so I think the healthy plants are healthy. I'm mostly concerned about burning new root growth on the sick plants with the addition of fertilizer. However, it's a weak concentration to begin with.

Thanks for the help!

Shep

Edit to add: I tried adding pics of the plants, but it looks like I'm restricted.

[MrHungx]

Originally Posted by Shep

Hi Folks,
I was fortunate enough to be gifted several very mature NOID Cattleyas that were once thriving but fell on hard times. Irregular watering and chewing roaches led to dead roots and poor leaf growth. However, the psuedobulbs, though shriveled, seem to still have life. Nothing is brown or yellow-dead. At least, what was dead was removed when the plants were broken up and repotted.

Now it's a waiting game to see what lives and what doesn't. Time will be the judge on that one, for sure. Frankly, I'll be thrilled if half of the five or so divisions make it. One is already putting out two new psuedobulbs in opposite directions already, so there's hope.

My question is about seaweed extract and fertilization schedules. From what I gather, seaweed extract promotes new root growth on actively growing plants. Mine are kind of in a purgatory. They need new roods, but from what I understand, growth will be somewhat slowed due to climate conditions.

Pertinent Info-
We're experiencing typical winter climates here in Memphis, and the plants are living in front of a (relatively) bright, south-facing window with no signs of sunburn. Humidity is hanging around 50%. Daytime temps are in the mid 60s (cloudy) to low 70s (sunny) during the day and low 60s at night. I'm watering my other Catts weekly and they are drying out between wateings. Winter fertilization includes monthly applications of 1/2 tsp. of Miracle Gro per gallon of water.

1- Should I apply seaweed extract when I'm watering to promote new growth? If yes, how often? Weekly? Every other week? Monthly?

2- Should I fertilize the way that I'm fertilizing my other plants? Everything seems to be holding up really well, so I think the healthy plants are healthy. I'm mostly concerned about burning new root growth on the sick plants with the addition of fertilizer. However, it's a weak concentration to begin with.

Thanks for the help!

Shep

Edit to add: I tried adding pics of the plants, but it looks like I'm restricted.

I don't have any experience with seaweed extract, so hopefully others can chime in about this.

I would definitely hold back on fertilizing until the plant has a significant amount of roots.

[bethmarie]

You'll be able to add pics after a couple more posts.

After failing with some rescues, I finally had success with coaxing roots on ailing catt divisions by keep them in much less light than I would for blooming. Higher light, especially in the slower growth season, led to my plants desiccating faster than roots were produced. I soaked the whole plant in kelp solution inititally (I used KelpMax at recommended concentration) and kept them pretty dry afterward in 50-55% humidity, which is the highest I can generate indoors in winter.

[Shep]

Originally Posted by bethmarie

You'll be able to add pics after a couple more posts.

After failing with some rescues, I finally had success with coaxing roots on ailing catt divisions by keep them in much less light than I would for blooming. Higher light, especially in the slower growth season, led to my plants desiccating faster than roots were produced. I soaked the whole plant in kelp solution inititally (I used KelpMax at recommended concentration) and kept them pretty dry afterward in 50-55% humidity, which is the highest I can generate indoors in winter.

Huh, so it may be better to move some of them to a little less light and see what happens...

[dendro king]

Dilute the sea weed to 1-2 cap fulls per 2-3L and use that weak dosage every watering, but do not fertilise until they are strong and healthy

[jocierk]

I have had GREAT luck growing new roots on sick plants with seaweed. I don't use any other fertilizer on them and I use the seaweed every other watering at a 1/4th the directions concentration. I keep them under slightly lower than normal lighting and try to make sure not to bump them much cause those new roots break easy.

[jmmehler]

You mentioned seaweed. Is it just seaweed, or a seaweed/fish emulsion? If the latter, be prepared for a new 'aroma' in your home, that will last for the next 36 - 48 hours.

[jocierk]

Mine is Liquid Kelp Natural Seaweed Fertilizer by GS Plant Foods. It has a little smell but nothing that lasts after I water. I should also mention that usually on sickly plants I water first and then pour on the seaweed. I have also used a spray bottle to apply it to the leaves of Catts.

[Shep]

Thanks for the advice, y'all!

So, here's the plan-

1- Move the plants to an area with a little less light. Easily accomplished.

2- Water a little less than the other orchids- Probably every ten days or so.

3- Use 1/4 strength seaweed extract in every other watering. No fertilizer.

4-Mist leaves with diluted extract.

5- Hope for the best.

[Shep]

Well, as a follow-up to this, we have new roots! One one the larger Catts is showing root growth all over the place, one is showing new roots on the two new psuedobulbs, and the others seem to be not dying at worst, and showing promise of new roots at best. So, we're heading in the right direction.

I cut watering back to every other week or so, but did add seaweed extract at a concentration of 1 oz. per gallon. I'll probably do half-strength from here on out. I also have a spray bottle with 1/2-1/4 strength extract from my last watering.

I know that the potting mix is evaporating faster than the (lack of) roots can take it in, and that's fine. Surprisingly, humidity hasn't become a huge issue yet and has remained relatively high. An aquarium in the same general area is evaporating about a half gallon of water per day and the humidity in the house is hanging around 50% or so. Additionally, I suspect that some of the other houseplants- Christmas Cactus, jade plants, narcissus, etc. are all humidity contributors as well.

One more question- How often should I mist? Once a week? Twice weekly?