Cattleya rooting- input needed!!!

[InspirChid1712]

Hi Everybody!

Alot of my cattleyas have lost roots since our cold winter and VERY rainy spring/early summer (and SLUGS... those little demons!). This has been a very unusual season here in North Carolina. The tried-and-true plants look good as always, but a few that normally do well seem to be really set back this year. Alot have very few, if any, functional roots. They have new growths that are half matured, but what can i do to get some actual roots growing? Should I keep them really dry to get them to search for water? Its getting late in the season and I really want to get some good roots going before winter so I don't observe slow mass suicide in my plant windows. What should I do?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Anglo]

New roots will initiate from the bases of the maturing growths. If there is any living root tissue remaining on the old growths, it is possible that new root branches will emerge from them also, but that will require good health and growing conditions.

Keeping the plants dry will not encourage root growth, and is not good for them in any other way, but keeping them too wet is not good either. Cattleya roots need both water and air to be healthy. Depending on how you are growing them, you might try a different method.

Wooden baskets with coarse fir bark works very well -- not baskets just big enough to hold the roots, but big enough to permit growing space for both the roots and rhizome. This method permits frequent watering and provides good aeration.

Sphagnum moss can also be excellent for Cattleyas, but must not become compacted and remain soggy. Cattleya roots love Sphag, if it can be kept consistently moist, but well aerated.

And don't forget the importance of light. Cattleyas should be acclimated to at least a few hours of direct sunlight each day or very bright artificial light all day.

[Bud]

once a month flush them using hose up til the water coming out of the holes are clear =to clean debris, fertilizer deposits and decayed matter on the roots and on the media....it will dislodge slug eggs or snails....some bacteria or fungi might also be washed off....

[isurus79]

Try some KLN every 2 weeks to promote root growth and increase air movement so they dry off quicker.

[tucker85]

I recommend Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed. It has plant hormones that increase root development. I've found that it works like magic for me. I use it at one ounce per gallon of water, twice a month. Last year I was using it once a week but I don't think that's necessary to use it that often. It can be added to your fertilizer mix or you can apply it separately. You still need to use a fertilizer though. You should only use one hormone product, so if you use Maxicrop then don't use Superthrive, or KLN or Megathrive. With Maxicrop I usually see new roots in about three or four weeks, sometimes sooner. You can buy it many places. I get it from Green Barn. Just buy a quart. That's all you'll need for now.

Maxicrop® Liquid Seaweed | Superior Growers Supply

Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed quart - Green Barn Orchid Supplies

[dounoharm]

try a really big chunk bark mix, and use small net pots in the center of the pot to aerate from the inside....and keep everything up on slatted tables...use the heck out of slug bait up to 20 feet away from your plants, and pray, lol...gl

[WhiteRabbit]

New roots will come on the new growth when they are at their proper stage of growth to start roots. I don't know that you can hurry it.

They can live for some time with no roots. I have a couple that have been several months with no roots. One started new growth not too long ago, and has a tiny new root nub I just water as I would if the plant had roots. I do put them in lower light usually.