New cycnodes - uh oh, need help - Orchid Board

Lagoon · #1 02-25-2010, 10:21 PM

Hi gang, So I finally got brave and picked up 2 new cycnodes last saturday -- Taiwan gold & wine delight, got troubles with both of them

First 3 pics of taiwan, love the flowers but the roots are like paper - cold wet paper. I have what appears to be a new bulb comming from the base (no roots yet).
I'm guessing I just cut off the roots, place inside pot and wait for new growths?

The last photo of wine delight, these darker growths did'nt look bad at all when I got them, but it sure has progressed quickly. Looks like 1 of the mature bulbs is rotting - its has new growths comming from it, the roots have already started to form (they grow so fast) I'm thinking the wise thing to do is cut out the rot, apply fungicide and pray it doesn't continue to spread.

I have not had a good look at the roots yet but the ones on top are very much light the Taiwan gold - thin dried out paper

I'm new to cycnodes, I could really use to advice for these sweet little trouble makers.

Many Thanks

Lagoon · #2 02-25-2010, 10:26 PM

OPPS! forgot the photos

isurus79 · #3 02-26-2010, 01:33 AM

The new growths look good and the roots in the 3rd picture look good too. I would chop off that rotten part of the bulb in the last photo. Make sure you cut well into the green so that no brown parts remain.

Then follow the advice on this link: Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA and you should be good to go!

Lagoon · #4 02-26-2010, 08:37 AM

Thanks Steve

Ok will start some chopping this morning on the wine delight.
Are you sure the roots on the taiwan gold are viable? They are not firm at all - are they suppose to look like this at this time of the year? I just feel like they will rot down once the regular watering period begins?
I'm a little confused .....

tuvoc · #5 02-26-2010, 11:27 AM

Gloria,I only have three cycs., so I'm not really an expert, but your plants look perfectly normal for this time of year. Those roots may look hopeless, but they are exactly how mine look after their rest period. Just keep in mind that when they are in active growth, they need a LOT of water and fert. It took me years to get used to watering them so much. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Kim

kavanaru · #6 02-26-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Thanks Steve

Ok will start some chopping this morning on the wine delight.
Are you sure the roots on the taiwan gold are viable? They are not firm at all - are they suppose to look like this at this time of the year? I just feel like they will rot down once the regular watering period begins?
I'm a little confused .....

Gloria, your plant, as already mentioned, looks very nice and healthy. As for the roots, it all would depend on how you are planning to grow your plant. If you will use a substrate with very good drainage, the plant would do fine with those roots. Howeevr, as Catasetiane need a lot of water during the growing period, you are on teh risk that the old roots will rot... Note that Fred Clarke (from Sunset Valley Orchids) and Holst (Book: the world of catasetum) have noted that they have the feeling taht old roots in Catasetiane are not viable after the dormant period (hhmmm... trying to remember where I read that from Fred, and cannot remmember right now, so don't put those words on stone

but I am almost sure I read that from him too). Anyway, the fact is that I do not agree 100% with this statement, but I do agree with teh advice to cut off all the old roots when re-potting teh plants. I do that with all my Catasetinae, and have never lost any plants or seen a negative effect on them. The new roots will take over the job and will be able to support teh whole plant (unless the plant is too big and you only have one new growth!!).

Important is that since the big PBs have no roots, you find a way to fix the plant in the new substrat in order to avoid that it moves when watering (this would brake the tip of teh new roots!).

Fazit: I would cut off those old roots, and grow the plant in S/H (Catasetiane love S/H!)

Lagoon · #7 02-26-2010, 01:18 PM

Thank you Kim and Ramon for you're replies.

About the older roots ... that was my concern once I began to water normally they would rot into a mess, then I would have to repot all over again within a short time.

I'm wondering if I should just keep the older roots and just misted it down inside a bare pot until I know how many growths I get in case the only 1 beginning bulb is the only one to show up (that would be my luck) lol!

tuvoc · #8 02-26-2010, 01:26 PM

Gloria, I have never trimmed the old roots, and I've never noticed any rotting problems. As Ramon mentioned, if you do, you will need to support the plant somehow until it grows new ones.

Kim

isurus79 · #9 02-26-2010, 02:50 PM

Ya, my biggest thing with these guys is that the roots make great anchors when repotting, if nothing else. Maybe trim a bit, but not all. I would not worry about rot with actively growing Catasetinae. These guys thrive with high water and fertilizer programs that would kill any other orchid.

Lagoon · #10 02-26-2010, 04:13 PM

Ok thats what I really needed to hear!! Excellent Kim, glad to see you're not having any problems with the previous roots.
Thats just what I'm gonna do Steve - trim those up & repot.
Many thanks to my 3 heros for helping me thru this

I feel like I just crossed the bridge