Orchid Cattleya warneri var.Alba

[charlesf6]

Okay where do I go from here? Received in the mail after work this evening.
How does it look? Do I need to repot it immediately?
Water, feed it?



Leave it alone, let it rest after long trip in the mail?

[pipsxlch]

Really? Someone had the gall to sell you that sad thing?

It's not hopeless, but it'll be work and what you'll have will essentially be a tiny seedling if you succeed. With a single pseudobulb division, you have to hope that the eyes weren't damaged and that you still have a good one left. The roots look desiccated to me, and the pbulb rather emaciated. I'd soak it a couple hours in KelpMax if you have it, plain water if not, then repot it (you can use that pot) in well saturated mix- your bark is fine. Tenting it or putting it in a very humid location would help. Let the mix get fully dry before you water it again, but only just- you don't want to let it dry further, rather beef up that pbulb. Watch and hope for that good eye- your roots don't look totally shot, you do have a chance. I'd baby it until you are up to 3 pbulbs total, then move it up with the big boys.

If it were mine, I'd add a twist of sphagnum loosely to the top of the pot. You can't let it stay damp at the bulb base though! For what it's worth, I have grown up single bulb Catt divisions, but it takes time and watching, and doesn't always work.

[Tetra73]

Well, even the Lowes's Orchid in a bag would look better....you know yours is really bad. Yeah, the root is too dry. The pseudobulb should be firm and big...not dry and with winkles.

Where did you order it? If you really want a Cattleya on the cheap, try your local Lowes. They are selling them for $13. Just get one with light green leaves with bigger and firmer pseudobulb.

I got this Cattleya from Lowes 2 days ago...on the left. Cattleya and Dendrobium by vracing, on Flickr

[charlesf6]

this is how the plant it was listed and pretty much what I got:

Orchid Cattleya Warneri Var Alba | eBay

[Tetra73]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

this is how the plant it was listed and pretty much what I got:

Orchid Cattleya Warneri Var Alba | eBay

I won't say the seller misled you but he or she assumes you didn't know better. The seller has another Cattleya for sale too. Same condition and charging $12.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by Tetra73

I won't say the seller misled you but he or she assumes you didn't know better. The seller has another Cattleya for sale too. Same condition and charging $12.

Her response to me:


Ok, please return the plant and I will refund you.
Almost all orchid plants from nurseries come bare with dry roots, but they are all alive.

[Tetra73]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

Her response to me:


Ok, please return the plant and I will refund you.
Almost all orchid plants from nurseries come bare with dry roots, but they are all alive.

Is up to you if you want to return it...there is the hassle in boxing it up and mailing it out. Is just me but I won't order common, easily available orchids online. I would check your local Lowes or Homedepot and maybe your local nurseries first.

See what they have and go google it first or asking here. You may have to pay a second visit. You want to know if there are any root rots but the roots are buried inside the pot and you can't see them. So, you have to look for other signs.

Light green or lime green leaves indicating the orchid is getting enough sun. Dark, dark green means it isn't getting enough sun. Sometimes you could see roots coming out. If they are very white and dry looking, the orchid has not been getting enough moisture. Black marking on the tips of the leaves is a sure sign of root rot.

[charlesf6]

Phaloenopsis only plants available locally, was trying to expand my nursery.

[Tetra73]

Then, you need to look for reputable sellers. There are few reputable sellers on Ebay...I came across. Search for "orchid" on ebay. You can find out a particular seller if they are reputable by looking at their items. You want someone mainly selling orchids with sizeable feedbacks..couple of hundreds of feedback. Many of them have lengthy descriptions of the orchids they are selling (size, if the plant is in bloom or about to bloom, and etc).

[estación seca]

It's a single back bulb that, even with the very best care, probably won't bloom for 3 years. It doesn't look much different from the seller's original photo, so I think the seller was honest.

Until you know more, skip eBay and Amazon completely. Buy from well-regarded orchid nurseries. There is a forum here, Vendor Feedback. Go there and see which nurseries people recommend.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community/vendor-feedback/