Dog ate my orchids... help me keep them alive?

[Roberta]

The Catasetum in particular should be OK. Since it is still dormant, even root damage isn't very important - last year's roots are very likely nearly dead, not very efficient anyway. So pot it up, don't even worry much about humidity, just ignore it (and put it where the dog can't get it) and wait for the new growth, which will start to happen in a month or two, probably. (But resist the temptation to begin watering when you see the new growth... you need to wait until the new roots are 3-4 inches long and the leaves are spreading out) It's still a little cool to put it outside anyway... they aren't very happy much below 55 deg F and I think it's still cooler than that on many nights where you live. And you also don't want to get it rained upon. (Just in case it happens to rain...promises, promises...)

The Maxillaria, photos would help but it sounds like you have done all that you could, good luck!

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by rbarata

While June is suffering over the orchids, we are mocking about it... now seriously...photo are always extremely useful, especially in cases like these.

Is it possible for you to post some?

I will take some when I get home. I was on my way out when I found them so I only had time to throw them in the terrarium with some damp moss before I left.

I just didn't know if I should pick up some root powder on my way home. Sounds like the Catasetum doesn't need it and the Max is probably hopeless either way haha.

And don't worry, I'm all for kidding around Does anyone want to help me murder the dog? He also killed Hubby's Yerba mate tree a few months ago XD LOL!

[estación seca]

OMG taking mate from an Argentinian would be about the most dangerous thing I can imagine!

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The Catasetum in particular should be OK. Since it is still dormant, even root damage isn't very important - last year's roots are very likely nearly dead, not very efficient anyway. So pot it up, don't even worry much about humidity, just ignore it (and put it where the dog can't get it) and wait for the new growth, which will start to happen in a month or two, probably. (But resist the temptation to begin watering when you see the new growth... you need to wait until the new roots are 3-4 inches long and the leaves are spreading out) It's still a little cool to put it outside anyway... they aren't very happy much below 55 deg F and I think it's still cooler than that on many nights where you live. And you also don't want to get it rained upon. (Just in case it happens to rain...promises, promises...)

The Maxillaria, photos would help but it sounds like you have done all that you could, good luck!

I think the hope of rain is a little much to ask right now XD LOL.

So I've been considering it and talking with Island Girl (we're friends on other forums too XD) and we think the Max will live, but take a long time to get back to blooming size. Oh well. Not the end of the world.

The Cat, aside from broken roots that were mostly dead already anyway, is pretty much fine and didn't get nibbled so I'm just going to mount it and grow it inside. Out of reach of the dogs ._.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by junebug's orchids

I think the hope of rain is a little much to ask right now XD LOL.

So I've been considering it and talking with Island Girl (we're friends on other forums too XD) and we think the Max will live, but take a long time to get back to blooming size. Oh well. Not the end of the world.

The Cat, aside from broken roots that were mostly dead already anyway, is pretty much fine and didn't get nibbled so I'm just going to mount it and grow it inside. Out of reach of the dogs ._.

You might rethink mounting the Catasetum. When they are in their growth phase they need LOTS of water, and also want regular fertilizer (They grow so fast you can almost watch them get larger) Unless you are prepared to water it several times day, with humid days, you probably can't give it what it wants when it is growing, if mounted. I suggest a plastic pot, with sphagnum (that's what Fred Clarke uses) I use small bark when they get into bigger pots (like 3-4 large p-bulbs) but for the smaller ones, sphag is the only way I can keep them wet enough when they're growing. (They grow more like a tomato than an orchid once they really get going)

Sphag has to be a little damp to work with it, that amount of moisture won't hurt the Catasetum, and it will go crunchy-dry in a few days anyway (and needs to stay that way until is wide awake, as I mentioned above).

[Dollythehun]

I am sad about your orchids but if you knew how I have been tornented about my cats for years now, you will understand that I'm glad a dog was involved.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by junebug's orchids

... He literally NEVER goes where I put them. That's why I put them there.

"Mom put toys by the pond. She must want me to go there!"

[daveh_sf]

Raccoons seem to enjoy playing with my outdoor orchids, ripping them apart looking for bugs maybe. Cymbidiums are too big for them, fortunately.

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I am sad about your orchids but if you knew how I have been tornented about my cats for years now, you will understand that I'm glad a dog was involved.

My little Maltese-poodle mix is always involved. She probably makes your cats look like angels.

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by Roberta

You might rethink mounting the Catasetum. When they are in their growth phase they need LOTS of water, and also want regular fertilizer (They grow so fast you can almost watch them get larger) Unless you are prepared to water it several times day, with humid days, you probably can't give it what it wants when it is growing, if mounted. I suggest a plastic pot, with sphagnum (that's what Fred Clarke uses) I use small bark when they get into bigger pots (like 3-4 large p-bulbs) but for the smaller ones, sphag is the only way I can keep them wet enough when they're growing. (They grow more like a tomato than an orchid once they really get going)

Sphag has to be a little damp to work with it, that amount of moisture won't hurt the Catasetum, and it will go crunchy-dry in a few days anyway (and needs to stay that way until is wide awake, as I mentioned above).

I was going to "mount" it in a terrarium or something. I have a few options.

This is the cat. Now that I look, it's pretty good. I think it mostly got thrown from its pot.



And the Max, or what's left of it:



It was blooming size when I got it. I cut off the damaged pseudobulb since it was falling off anyway, sterilized the "wound" and put it in a bark pot for now.

---------- Post added at 10:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 PM ----------



And here is everyone in their temporary pots (plus a phal hybrid I grabbed from the grocery store the other day)