Fdk. Kelly Longley 'Kelly Marie's Black Diamond'

[kellymarieblackdiamond]

Hi! I’m new here. My name is Kelly and the Fdk. Kelly Longley 'Kelly Marie's Black Diamond' was named after me!
My dad bought this plant from Fred Clarke and was the first to bloom it. Anyhow, I’ve had the orchid for about 3.5 years and it’s is suddenly having problems : (

I was living in an apartment with a huge sunny south facing window and really good A/C. I divided the orchid after last years blooms fell off and this spring I had bulbs growing from both divisions.

In July I moved into a not so ideal apartment. Bad natural light and poor A/C circulation. Things seemed fine at first.
I purchased a new phalenopsis orchid and placed it with my collection.
A few weeks later I noticed one huge MEALYBUG nestled in my catasetum! I blasted it with alcohol and isolated both plants. the area I moved the orchid was even more cave like and it developed fungus growing all over the roots and the roots looked like they were soggy and dying. I repotted and cleaned the orchid a couple times but it seemed to have done a fair deal of damage. I ended up cutting off all the new bulbs and divided the orchid into 3 pieces. My thought is they will go into an early hibernation and maybe grow new roots and bulbs next year. I haven’t repotted yet. Should I? I purchased an air purifier and a soltech led pendant light in the meantime
I attached pics of healthy to not so healthy.
Any advice appreciated!
I have to save my name sake lol

[isurus79]

It sounds like the plant is struggling from low light and changing conditions.

One of the hardest things on an orchid is changing conditions, especially repotting. I would suggest leaving them in one spot and not changing anything for several years, if possible. Mold on the roots isn't a problem and typically comes with a newly repotted plant and then goes away on its own.

I'm curious, what was the reason for cutting the plant into three pieces and then removing the new growths?

[kellymarieblackdiamond]

The new bulbs looked like it was starting to rot. I didn’t want the whole plant to be killed.

[Mountaineer370]

Welcome to the OB, Kelly! Hopefully, a few more members experienced in that type of orchid will see this thread and chime in.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by kellymarieblackdiamond

The new bulbs looked like it was starting to rot. I didn’t want the whole plant to be killed.

I would continue watering to get the bulbs plump again. Keep temps high and provide lots of light for now. No fertilizer and let us know if any new growths pop out. Hopefully at least one piece bounces back.

[kellymarieblackdiamond]

I’m hopeful that one set of bulbs will do well. They are still pretty plump and no browning/rot at the base. I placed in a hanging pot under a LED grow light. I also have an air purifier near by to help circulate the air. I’ll keep you posted!