Need help identifying this fungus on my Cattaleya orchid!!

[Cattorchidsaremyfav123]

The second stem looks a little bit shriveled and the one third stem has black on the lower part of it I’m not sure if you can see it in the picture but the website will not allow me to upload anymore pictures to the website. If anyone could help me identify this issue and if it is a fungus is there a way to fix it ? There seems to be new growth but I’m worried it’s just going to end up becoming infected everywhere.. please DM me and let me know your thoughts! Also if anyone has any ideas where to buy some afforadable orchid plants or if they have any for sale let me know I am a new orchid caregiver and I’m inn love with my orchid but I have yet too find a place in my town that sells orchid seeds or cuttings! Thank you guys so much and I really appreciate the help!

[rbarata]

First of all, welcome!

That medium seems to be too water retentive. For a start, I would use larger bark and a smaller pot.

[Ray]

I honestly don’t see an obvious, damaging fungus in that photo, but the plant looks like an division that isn’t receiving the care it needs.

Why don’t you start by telling us the details of your cultural parameters - light, temperature, humidity, water source, frequency of watering, has it been repotted, etc. As it is, your question is like going to the doctor and asking for a diagnosis, without doing any tests.

[Dimples]

Welcome! Growing orchids from seeds takes many years and laboratory conditions. It is a very involved and delicate process. Orchids aren’t propagated by cuttings in the same way traditional houseplants can be. Some orchids can be divided, and the smaller pieces are called divisions, but not all orchids can be divided. Starting with mature and well grown plants will give you the best initial learning opportunity, and choose your orchids based on what will thrive in your growing conditions.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I agree with the above - I see no fungus. The pot is far too large for that plant. We need to know your ambient temperatures, humidity and light to give better advice.

The most important factor for growing epiphytic orchids is air at the roots. Too large a pot in relation to the roots causes many parts of the pot to have poor aeration, which leads to root suffocation.

Are you growing it inside or out? In a very humid environment you would be better off with just large particles of bark and no sphagnum moss.