Question about Cynoches - Orchid Board

gngrhill · #1 07-31-2016, 05:45 PM

I know a few of you have followed my thread about "cooking" my orchids, so now I have a question. I have a young cycnode that had one old PB and a pretty well developed new growth. This is one of the plants that took the greatest hit. The whole new growth right down to the roots turned brown and mushy. I cut it off right at the bottom, so now there are no leaves. Opinions, please: will it put up a new growth this season or will it go into early dormancy ? Should I continue to water or let it go dryer as it would do in dormancy ? This genera is new to me and I really don't know how to proceed with this one. Thanks in advance for opinions.

fishmom · #2 07-31-2016, 06:17 PM

It is quite possible that you will get a second new growth. I would not water much until you see those new leaves sprouting and opening though. Are the new roots from the "cooked" growth still on the plant? They will be able to take up water if you are careful not to get it anywhere that a new growth might sprout, just watering around the base of the plant. I'd be stingy, though, until you see if it will resprout.

gngrhill · #3 07-31-2016, 06:55 PM

Thanks , Fishmom. The roots still seem to be intact.

NYCorchidman · #4 08-07-2016, 04:55 PM

This might work.
Cut off top section of the pb with at least two nodes that does not include a node where it previously developed a spike. If so, include one more.

Dust the both cut sections with sulfur or cinnamon.
Let dry. Lay the cut pb on top of moist moss with cover. Don't seal it as it might encourage fungal growth and rot the thing out.
With time, this method might give you a plant or two.

With the remaining pb with roots in the pot, I would treat it as normal but easy on the watering since there is no leaves or anything that is growing.
I wouldn't dry it too much because then you might cause the plant to go to sleep.
It is still warm enough and by keeping it moist, it may sprout a whole new growth for you this year.

This way, you might have an increased chance of having a live plant as the old pb alone might be attacked by yet another episode of rot.

Good luck!