Cattleya species culture questions

[Greenthumb.5]

I have a Cattleya maxima that has one sheath on a pseudobulb but succumed to rot but I cut it off before it could spread but the other pseudobulbs are worrying me a little. Now there is no new growth so how would I encourage it to grow as I just repotted into new media.

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psc46c6ae0.jpg


http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psb02cd7b8.jpg

And I also have Cattleya intermedia var aquanii coerulea(sorry if the spelling is wrong) but I would like your insight as I live in hot Georgia. Should it be repotted or when it should be repotted.

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps395f6736.jpg

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9136aa1d.jpg

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psf230693f.jpg


Any opinion and advice would be greatly appreciated and I would like to know any culture requirements for these species. And how you would bloom them. Also I would like to see any Cattleya species if you have them.

[Leafmite]

I think that looks like black rot. It can often be prevented with extra calcium and making certain that only the roots of the cattleya are under the medium. If you have other orchids, it is best to move this one away from them so they are not also infected. Until you get something to treat it, you can swab it with isopropyl alcohol to dry and disinfect. Here is a good site that will help you (I hope I typed it in correctly):

Orchid Pests, Orchid Diseases

[isurus79]

First, the intermedia looks great. Don't do anything to it.

Second, I really can't see anything to be worried about on the maxima. It just looks like a little dark discoloration from too much sun or any number of other things. A good way to kick start the root system is use some KLN and the best way to get a new lead started is to cut off old p-bulbs, which it sounds like you did already. I bet you get another new growth before winter sets in.

Here's a pic of my maxima growing yet more roots from a few years ago. Its the plant in the middle whose roots are attempting to take over the whole tank! lol


Tank Update 6-25-2012 by Isurus79, on Flickr

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 AM ----------

P.S. Are the discolored spots on the maxima squishy or is there fluid that comes out?

[tucker85]

Give your plant some time. I find that many species don't grow as rapidly as the hybrids do. They take their time and some only put out one new pseudobulb a year. I have the shorter version of C. maxima that is actually a pretty strong grower. C. loddigessii and percivaliana are also strong growers for me. If you have problems with black rot on new growth, make sure you're using a fertilizer that contains calcium and magnesium. Some species also only put out new roots at a very specific time of year. KLN or seaweed can help but sometimes species won't respond with new root growth unless it's the right time of year.

[isurus79]

I looked at the first pic again after going inside (I was outside in the sun when I first looked at it and the glare from the sun was pretty strong) and the coloration does not look good. Definitely keep an eye on it and watch for softness and/or oozing. Hopefully you don't have to do another amputation.

[Greenthumb.5]

It, unfortunately, confirmed my suspictions. It was black rot so the base of the pseudobulbs and the rhizome are is useless because it became black and still firm but killed all of the tissue in the dormant eyes. But I saved the top of the pseudobulbs and leaves which are free of infection. But I know it won't sprout a lead but tissue culture might be an option which I asked in the propagation forum. But I seperated it from the collection before it spread, fortunately.

The Cattleya intermedia is doing good as it sprouted three leads as the main lead actually had its eyes scorched, but at least it won't be rambling with one growth going in circles. But the plant is keeping the main lead and it has a sheath.