Why are all Roots on Big Cattleyas Dead?

[realoldbeachbum]

Hello OB.

It seems that every time I unpot a big Cattleya there are either: (1) NO roots in the center of the pot or (2) if there, they are only DEAD STRINGS. This is the case with 99% of newly purchased plants, AND the ones that I have raised from seedlings!

Is this unique to large Catts? Is there anything I can do to my current Catt seedlings that will prevent this from happening as they grow into mature plants?

All advice is appreciated. ROBB