My first cattleya - Orchid Board

Cheddarbob14 · #1 02-28-2017, 10:50 AM

Hi all, looking for some general advice on my first cattleya. Just bought it last week, 50%off at a local nursery. The good...it was half off and has great, bright orange blooms (sorry I'm not at home to give the full name, will later). The bad....pseudeobulbs are quite shriveled, and from the little bit that I can see, roots look to be in poor shape. Should I wait until it is done blooming (still has a couple buds to open) before repotting, which I would normally do, or given the situation, should I cut the bloom stem, and give a good thorough repotting to focus on the health of the plant? I'm pretty confident with the experience I've gained in orchids in general since branching out from phals a couple years ago, so looking forward to a new challenge with my catt! Fwiw I do have a probiotic, kelp Max, and a couple different fertilizers at my disposal also. Any thoughtsuggestions or suggestions appreciated!

pipsxlch · #2 02-28-2017, 11:00 AM

If it were mine, I'd follow your instinct and sacrifice the blooms for the plant's greater well being. Cut the spike, repot now, first soaking in the Kelpmax.

Cheddarbob14 · #3 02-28-2017, 11:12 AM

Thanks for the reply. Just feel caught between a rock and hard place not knowing if it would be better for the plants overall health in waiting for the natural cycle of new root growth to repot, or to nudge it along.

bil · #4 02-28-2017, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheddarbob14

Thanks for the reply. Just feel caught between a rock and hard place not knowing if it would be better for the plants overall health in waiting for the natural cycle of new root growth to repot, or to nudge it along.

My thoughts would be, enjoy the flower. Then repot in coarse bark. If the medium is really rotted and anaerobic, I'd repot it straight away, but I wouldn't cut the flower off. If the plant can't cope it will abort it.

The golden rule is, it's best to repot before the new roots start t develop.

rbarata · #5 02-28-2017, 11:31 AM

I'm no expert but I would leave the flowers and wait for new roots. Probably they would start to show in Spring which is already knocking at the door.

Leafmite · #6 02-28-2017, 11:59 AM

I have gotten many Cattleyas in a similar condition. I just bought yet another that needs to acquire some new roots. I am not too worried. Spring is the best time to get a Cattleya that will need some help as most of them will put out new growth during the upcoming months. Yes, do not worry about the flowers. A Cattleya will abort the flowers if it cannot sustain them. I always soak the Cattleya overnight (now in a seaweed or kelp solution) and then remove any roots that are not firm. Fill a pot up with medium and then stake the Cattleya very firmly on top of the medium so that it will not move and place it in a spot where it can sit undisturbed for the next months, until it develops a new growth and roots to hold it firmly in the pot. It will not need water, if rootless, until it has some new roots but extra humidity is nice. If you water by carrying your orchids somewhere, it is best to find an alternative way of watering until the Cattleya has enough roots to hold the entire plant in place. The root tips of Cattleyas are very tender and the medium rubbing against them can cause damage.

Good luck!

dounoharm · #7 02-28-2017, 12:19 PM

the shriveled up psuedobulbs are no worries....the plant has probably been denied sufficient water for a bit and it has sucked energy off them for a while....they may or may not fill up some after a good potting and watering routine.

I say enjoy the flowers! they will last longer on the plant than in a vase....

repotting cattleyas is a project. the old roots on previous psuedobulbs will be dead....the psuedobulbs are just energy storage units now...the newer ones will have viable roots....I always trim ALL the dead roots off, they could decay and attract bacteria. use rhizome clips to hold your plant still and erect, use VERY LARGE HARD BARK chunks as potting materials, and pack them HARD in the pot, first at the edge and then moving inward.

cattleyas are my very favorite! good luck!

bil · #8 02-28-2017, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dounoharm

use VERY LARGE HARD BARK chunks as potting materials,

Preach it sistah!

Cheddarbob14 · #9 03-01-2017, 09:42 AM

Thank you everyone for your responses, roots were in better shape than I thought. Still pretty rough shape but with the help I received here and some tlc I think she will be in good shape. Will add a photo this evening

bil · #10 03-01-2017, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheddarbob14

Thank you everyone for your responses, roots were in better shape than I thought. Still pretty rough shape but with the help I received here and some tlc I think she will be in good shape. Will add a photo this evening

Cattleyas are tough SOBs. I have had some arrive with no roots, and half dead from mould, but I saved them.