Slc Jewel Box - Orchid Board

kmccormic · #1 04-05-2015, 12:59 AM

I have a Slc Jewel Box Scherezade and I saw some black areas on it that appeared to be growing, because they weren't there a few days before, panicked, and cut some bulbs off. I think perhaps my cats bit it a few times, or perhaps the bulbs split because of over watering and the splits went black just like cut bananas or apples do? I was ticked at the time, because they had flower sheaths. Any ideas what else may have caused these black areas? I was extremely careful to ensure no water ended up in the sheath growth areas while watering. I'm concerned that it might be something that will recur or could spread to my other 'chids.

lotis146 · #2 04-05-2015, 01:16 AM

Sorry I can't offer you too much useful information as Catts and I don't get along the best. However I do have Slc. Jewel Box 'Dark Waters'. That said, mine does not have any of these black spots. However I do have many mini Catts that have some of this spotting and honestly it's my mini Catts who hate me most. But I've had a mixed bag; Catts that turn black and rot new growths then Catts with some black spots that never really do anything.

I do find it interesting that the black areas you show seem to be affiliated with wounds of some sort or another. Though I'm not sure that orchids necessarily 'split'. Someone else should comment soon, someone who can actually help you

but wait till they do to cut anymore. Good luck, keep us posted.

Stray59 · #3 04-05-2015, 01:37 AM

I don't know what is occurring, but JB 'Scheherazade' is one of my favorites - when it is healthy and blooming, to me the color is phenomenal! I would agree to be a little slower to cut any more until you hear from someone, but I can relate to that "OMG- What is happening" panicky feeling, and have also sliced and diced more than I probably had to in the past.
I hope someone will give you a good idea of what is going on, sorry I couldn't help - I hope you didn't have to cut all the blooming pseudo's off!

lotis146 · #4 04-05-2015, 01:49 AM

Stray & kmccormic, last year I got a Dgmra that grew a spike shortly after I got it, I was psyched. Then this weird brown started to spread down the leaf vertically on the spiking pbulb and eventually down into the bulb. Freaked me out crazy, especially considering I'd been soaking many plants together in a large tub at a time while I kept them outside. It kept spreading, even to the next youngest pbulb. No one here knew what to make of it, suggestions of course but I couldn't pin down a diagnosis whenever I looked up what people suggested. Even the seller didn't know what to think. Eventually the brown sort of felt soft and I thought there you have it, brown rot. So I cut the plant in two keeping the older pbulbs potted separately in case they felt like growing again. I meant, honestly, to continue to care for the sick one (I repotted it) but I ultimately didn't put much time in doing so.

After and before cutting I doused them heavily in Physan 20. Ultimately the 'sick one' died, but I really think it was due to my neglect, not the disease. The other one put out a new growth after a little while and that little guy has taken FOREVER after the initial growth of it. (I think I kept it too cold near a window, cold draft, b/c after I moved it it has since improved, growing four new roots right now).

LONG LONG story short, weeks (or was it months) after I cut it someone jumped on here and said they had a plant do the same thing and it just does it periodically. Her plant is fine. I saved the 'sick one' (with a spike in bud just about) in hopes it would still bloom before it died, nope it blasted and died. So yeah...orchid lottery...

Stray59 · #5 04-05-2015, 01:56 PM

If I were you I would cross post this into the "Pest and Disease" forum - you will get more input that may be able to help you ID what is going on....
All my best!

kmccormic · #6 04-05-2015, 02:21 PM

Thanks Stray59! I'll try that. I'm more than half suspicious of my cats who like to "snack" from time to time starting the whole problem. The good news is, for every bulb I cut, it has new growths, so I get to try again. And of the original set of bulbs, I still have one with an intact flower sheath if it every decides to flower.