Is there any hope left for my wrinkled, rootless Catt?

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I really don't know what happened to it, temp/rh was what within the 'normal' range for the season, and I left some water if the jar before leaving, as I usually do. I hadn't cleaned out the algae in a while though, could that have either suffocated the roots, or promoted the development of a phytopathogen?

Nice information Camille. Certainly a possibility about algae possibly involved with the issue somehow. Some people report having no issue with algae build-up on roots, while others report that algae can suffocate roots.

This could certainly be looked into, and considered. The other good information you gave is that the orchid was grown in this way for ten years, which is quite a significant amount of time. So assuming temperature and humidity and water level, and no toxicity issues ----- then could focus on the procedure you generally use - such as your mention of haven't cleaned out the algae for a while. Does that process involve - every once in a while - removal of algae from the jar and also from the roots? Once again --- nice information!

[Shadeflower]

I would say algae on roots does affect them. It should be avoided if possible. I know that is easier said than done sometimes, I have algae all over but it should be avoided if possible. I honestly don't know if it affects the root too much but overall if it stays too wet too long for algae to grow that's less good and the root will degrade faster over time. It can also make roots dry less from the added algae this can actually be a benefit or a disadvantage (a bit like a moss layer)

I wouldn't have thought that algae actually destroys all roots at once like happened. Over time they might degrade faster but this was most likely a fungal infection that spread killing all the roots (apart from the ones that were being kept dry, ie the aerial roots)

[SouthPark]

It's a possibility for sure shade. For catts - in the natural environment ------ they probably don't generally have algae - or at least that much on the roots ---- or algae surrounding the roots.

Maybe regular aquatic plants that are used to that sort of condition are ok. Orchids may adapt a bit ----- up to some point or limit. But hard to say what the limits are.

The method that Camille uses certainly works. But just most or all of the techniques we use here ------ it's about keeping the system under control. If it is algae-related, then this is something we can look into. If the only thing that needed to be done was to just regularly keep the algae at bay or under control ---- by occasional cleaning, then that could probably sort it all out. The 10 years of growing is quite a while.

This is just assuming everything is is normal -- as in temperature, humidity, water temperature, toxicity due to something else in the water.

Figuring out what happened here during the course of the vacation is important for sure.

[camille1585]

I thought that after nearly 3 years, it would be a good time to give an update on this Catt.

Good news, it survived! I took it out of the bowl/vase thing and stuck it in a heavy cache pot and started watering it a lot more and misted the good exposed roots in between waterings. It recovered so well that the new roots latched onto the cache pot and the plant is now fused to it.

The new growth this year is pointing downwards... I might have to attempt a division soon. Do any of you Catt experts have advice on how to proceed?

[Roberta]

Break pot (a shame, it's a nice one!), if roots are stuck on, leave the shards in the new pot. It's doing so well, maybe don't divide, just move to a larger pot. (Bifoliates can get annoyed when disturbed, but if you just set the roots free and drop into a bigger pot, it likely won't notice. )

[Blueszz]

Well grown!

A beautiful one Camille. Just brought a RLC back from the brink of death. New roots are growing again.

[WaterWitchin]

I have a couple rambling travelers like that. It's just the way they grow. Would follow Roberta's break the pot leave stuck shards and up-pot advice. Consider a basket and hanging it. It will continue to ramble regardless of dividing.

[camille1585]

I've learned a hard lesson, never use pots you'd hate to lose!

Thanks for the advice, I have to think about it a bit. I hesitant to move it to a basket since its indoors,(messy when watering), but on the other hand I'll never find a suitable pot that fits the entire length of that rambling stem without overpotting.

[orchidman77]

I put houseplants in pretty pots and orchids in pots I don't care about! HAH! I'd love to see a bloom pic, Camille - I bet they smell amazing given the aclandiae background. Can you post a pic?

[Roberta]

How about an oblong terracotta pot (as one would put on an outdoor windowsill or window box)? rbarata has a L. anceps that was put in such a pot a few years back, and it gives a fantastic show each year that just gets better and better.