Severe pseudobulb shrivelling after Cattleya re-potting

[deanna83]

I recently repotted an L.purpurata a few weeks ago, at the time it had beautiful plump pseudobulbs, but the media was very soft and smelt funny with little white bugs in it, so I thought it might like a fresh start. It's a mature plant (8 old growths) had a new growth (though it was fairly progressed) but I thought it would still do ok.

Its pseudobulbs have since shrivelled severely (it looks SO sad and thin, especially the back bulbs). I've had this happen to some of my orchids I've transplanted into semi-hydro, but never from bark to bark.

I'm so tempted to unpot it again to see what's going on even though I know I'll just find dead roots, but I don't know what else to do! I really looked hard to find this orchid too. How long do orchids with bad transplant shock take to recover? Any advice orchid friends?!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Unpot. This is not an option right now. The longer the delay, the faster and the worse the decline.

The expediency of the plant's recovery depends on how much of the roots are still intact.

It'd help to post pics too. Post 4 more times then post photos.

Plus, what kind of media is/was it growing in?

[deanna83]

Philip, so to clarify, are you recommending to repot? Sorry, trying to upload photos, but will re-post some random info few more times as you suggested.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Unpot first. Look at roots, then determine whether to repot.

---------- Post added at 09:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 PM ----------

We need to know how much of the roots are still alive if there are even any.

[deanna83]

It is in a clear plastic pot but I can't tell if the roots are dead or not. Many still look white but many are questionable

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Best to unpot anyways.

[deanna83]

I have found cattleyas very fragile with repotting, I tried a couple in semi-hydro, but quickly converted most back to organic media. Particularly those that are very root bound. Maybe I'm being to harsh/rough with the roots.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I have not found Cattleyas to be all that fragile. I have repotted Cattleya amethystoglossa during the winter before, and have not had any problems with it. I've had this orchid for about 12 - 13 years.

[deanna83]

Pictures should be up... see before and after pics in original post. Sorry for the disjointed posts. I'm very green to message boards (excuse the pun)

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I think the pot's too big for the plant and I still believe it is best to unpot to see what's going on in that pot.

---------- Post added at 09:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 PM ----------

I have a Laelia superbiens that is much larger than your Laelia purpurata in a comparably sized pot.