Cattleya aclandiae blooming, but with issues...

[brn_thmbs]

Just opened while I was out on a bit of vaca, looks ok & should open a bit more (hopefully)



& now for the issue...
I treated with Bayer 3-in-1 before I left, but I'm not sure what I'm dealing with. Anyone know what this might be? General yellowing of leaves & 2 have dropped...

This is in bright light sitting up on leca, perlite, orchiata mix (dries quickly).
I know this species likes to dry real quick & sit above the media on the high side of Catt light & high humidity, which I try to provide for it... R/H can dip into the mid 60s sometimes mid-day.

[brn_thmbs]

*bump*
really want to make sure I'm going to be able to keep this in my collection for a long time & am hoping for some OB expertise.
donkey chain

[BettyE]

All that I can give you is my opinion: If this orchid were in my collection, looking like it looks, I would cut off the blossom, & put it in a vase of water. Then I would take the orchid plant out of its present media, and re-pot ( after soaking new media & cutting off dead roots ) Admire the beautiful blossom in the vase, and wait until next year. By the way...don't water for 7 to 10 days after re-potting any orchid... I would also wash off the leaves before re-potting. I use a soft cloth & dish soap. BettyE

[Brooke]

Are the yellow leaves on the oldest growths? If they are it could be time for them to go.

On my Catts as the old leaves start to die, they also get the ugly black marks.

Brooke

[GardenTheater]

Beautiful flower.

[brn_thmbs]

Originally Posted by brooke

Are the yellow leaves on the oldest growths?

yea, mostly, but not all. it is also a recent acquisition (as in several months) so it may still be acclimating itself, but it did flower on its own (was not in spike at acquisition, new pb).
I'm hoping my Bayer 3-in-1 application knocks out the issue going forward & I'd love it to muster some new roots. Maybe after it blooms, I'm new to its growth pattern, so we'll see.
I'm thinking no water on foliage, more frequent root waterings (it is hot up here in Bahstin), maybe one more round of 3-in-1 next week, & get it some more light. Air flow is not a problem for me here on the harbor, so that should be good (famous last words, right).

[brn_thmbs]

Originally Posted by GardenTheater

Beautiful flower.

Thx GT :thumbup:

[brn_thmbs]

Originally Posted by BettyE

All that I can give you is my opinion: If this orchid were in my collection, looking like it looks, I would cut off the blossom, & put it in a vase of water. Then I would take the orchid plant out of its present media, and re-pot ( after soaking new media & cutting off dead roots ) Admire the beautiful blossom in the vase, and wait until next year. By the way...don't water for 7 to 10 days after re-potting any orchid... I would also wash off the leaves before re-potting. I use a soft cloth & dish soap. BettyE

hmm, well I did repot it in fresh media when I got it, so I don't think that is an issue &... well I'm not quite to the point where I want to chop & repot :/
I think I have a few more tricks before I go nucular, but rest assured it is on watch & will be for a few weeks.

Also, someone else mentioned it may not be aclandiae (as I received it tagged) due to the form. I'm not an expert in this species, so if anyone knows how I can tell clearly (re: the 'horns' thread) it would be of interest to me personally.

Thx all!

[isurus79]

It looks a bit dehydrated to me and it also looks like it gets pretty high light. I would just water a bit more often. The older leaves will fall off, but new ones will fill it out in as new growths come out.

And I hate to mention it, but this is definitely not pure aclandiae. A hybrid with this species in the background perhaps.

[Leafmite]

I grow my C. aclandiae seedling bare-root mounted on a large hunk of cork. That might be an option, too.