Cattelaya concerns

[The Orchidist]

I purchased this Cat back in the spring of this year , after it had bloomed , It started showing ill signs of sickness , I was told it wouldnt need to be repotted for another 2 yrs , I noticed another new growth and it seems to have stalled , I took it out of its clay 5 inch pot and was not very happy , Not sure what i should do to rectify this .. It is a Korat spots "Green spot ". Here are a few pics.

Thanks for any input.







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[rosalie]

I had an orchid in the same situation. I cut all the dead roots and pseudobulbs. Then, I used medium grade bark to repot.
I see a nice green root in yours, so carefully work around that to save it.
I water my catts after the roots have dried out a bit to avoid root rot.
good luck!

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would go further and recommend drying completely between each watering. Cattleya alliance plants don't like continuous moisture around the roots.

[PaphMadMan]

It has definitely been kept too wet, either from broken down media, massive over-watering, or both. Catts definitely need to be dry before watering again. This can be saved but the plant will be set back quite a bit. Remove anything that is dead. Looks like 1 root, 2 pseudobulbs and the new growth can be kept. Luckily you do have a new growth, which should send out new roots fairly soon.

[The Orchidist]

There is a new root emerging from the base of the new growth , just not sure why there is a redish color at the base of the new growth. Also looks as if there was a piece or division made from this , there is an entire old stock or pbulb that is dried up , for best results you think that should all be removed ? ..should it be staked for best support ?.

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[pipsxlch]

If it were mine, I'd remove the old dead pbulb and remnant of a pbulb, the rhizome is dead to between the remnant and the 1st green pbulb. I'd remove all the roots but the green one, use a smallish pot (the new growth won't get a whole lot taller than it is now), and definitely stake it and make sure you don't bury the rhizome. If you deal with this vendor again, I'd repot immediately. They may use for their conditions a more water retentive media than works in your conditions. (for this reason, I repot everything I buy immediately whether it looks like it needs it or not) It would benefit from seaweed extract if you have it, but it will still live without. And don't be too concerned when it sheds the leaves on the oldest pbulb.
I wouldn't worry about the reddish colour either. Some plants normally produce reddish/purplish pigment in their vegetative growth especially in higher light. In your case though, it looks like maybe it's staining on the sarong of the new growth. My eyes aren't the best though.

[1flower1world]

I would suggest you, after cutting all the dead roots, get it mounted.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by 1flower1world

I would suggest you, after cutting all the dead roots, get it mounted.

I disagree. Why would you recommend that? Mounting might be appropriate for a healthy plant under certain conditions.

I am assuming the OP has to deal with very dry air (winter, northern climate, indoor central heating). Unless I'm mistaken & the OP is a greenhouse grower, mounting a single-root plant would likely kill it.

[silken]

All good advise. Definitely looks like it has been over watered. Use a pot with lots of drainage and a good open media. I use only medium bark for my Catts and let them dry out before watering. You could use a kebab skewer to help you determine when it is time to water. Sometimes it seems dry but the bark is still damp in the bottom and centre. You will have very few roots to take up moisture so make sure it is not over-potted. Also as mentioned, yes, stake it as it will establish roots much quicker if not flopping around in the pot. And seaweed would be very helpful for a plant in this condition. I would never leave a newly purchased Catt 2 years in the old container. I wonder who the vendor was??

The good news is that you have a new growth so it will likely start producing roots soon.

[ula]

Hi, looks like you'll have to put this in a small pot, so if you have trouble staking, I would suggest a rhizome clip. Good luck, I think your orchid still has a very good chance to recover.