cattleya with rotten roots

[oscar freak]

so decided to repot my catt yesterday as the exposed roots were starting to burn,the plant is i though in good condition but when i pulled it out i found a mass of rotten roots in the centre,the outside roots were fine.i cut off as much as i could,added some cinnamon powder and repotted.placed it a sheltered position and praying it will be ok.i'v been watering twice a week obviously to much i suppose even in summer?

[Tschimm]

Depends on the potting medium and your environment.

[silken]

Cinnamon powder can desiccate healthy roots so it's best not to add it to the root zone. It works great on the tissue of leaves and pseudo bulbs when you need to cut a piece off and seal the ends.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by oscar freak

...added some cinnamon powder…

As was mentioned earlier, I do not recommend putting cinnamon on the roots, this can cause desiccation of the roots, which is not what you want. Unknowingly killing more roots will not help you or your plant.

Originally Posted by oscar freak

...placed it a sheltered position…

What does this mean…

These plants like bright indirect light. Do not place them where they will get direct midday light. If you place them in too shady a spot, they will slow down their growing, which is not what you want! You want them to grow rapidly, especially during your summers! During winter, they slow their growth down dramatically. Slowing their growth during the summer can have a pretty big impact on how things will turn out for your plant later.

Originally Posted by oscar freak

..I've been watering twice a week, obviously too much I suppose, even in summer?

That really does depend on where you are growing the plant and what your growing conditions are like. I can essentially water my Cattleya amethystoglossa everyday here in Los Angeles during the summer, maybe even twice a day during the really hot days.

I'd reduce the watering during the winters, though. I think that's when the real damage might've been happening.

I'm just giving you a quick and basic idea of how you could make some adjustments in your growing techniques. Try them out and see what happens.

[WhiteRabbit]

Use a skewer to check how moist (or dry) the media is.

I like to put some styro in the center of the root mass, or a small over-turned net pot in the center of the pot I am potting in; avoids soggy in the center media, makes a nice air pocket the roots like.

[oscar freak]

thanks guys,i placed the plant indoors on the dining room table that get some light in the morning but not for long.i havent watered since before the repot,was planning on watering by wednesday.the plant is potted in a bark mix,was placed outside where it gets full morning sun till midday and where it was getting rained on to i suppose though i tried to work my waterings around the rain.so now i will have to drench the roots to rid the cinnamon?