New Cattleya schilleriana

[Optimist]

I haven't bought any Cats recently. I am a little sad because I have decided to toss two away who are not thriving, and are just getting worse and worse.

So, as a consolation, I have gotten this one: A nice cattleya schilleriana with a sheath (not empty). The sheath is on the lower left hand side. It has a growth about 1/2 inch inside of it. Hope it is a flower!

[smweaver]

Looks like a very healthy C. schilleriana. Hopefully the sheath will develop a nice head of flowers.

Do you know what the problems were with the two plants you discarded? Getting worse and worse implies a steady decline. Any thoughts on why that occurred?

[katrina]

Awesome species...great choice!

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Looks like a very healthy C. schilleriana. Hopefully the sheath will develop a nice head of flowers.

Do you know what the problems were with the two plants you discarded? Getting worse and worse implies a steady decline. Any thoughts on why that occurred?

I live in NM, and last summer, when it was 90-100 degrees outside-- I underwatered-- out of ignorence-- and these two basically turned into orchid jerky. It was 4 originally. One kicked the bucket early. One still has 2 decent leads, and these 2 are pliable but have totally been rootless and sad for a year. 3 cattleyas survived. One by the skin of its teeth. 2 are strangely better looking than ever.

It was miserable orchid mothering on my part. I also lost 4 oncidiums to the same heat and underwatering.

[smweaver]

We've all been there (or at least I'd like to think so) regarding "miserable orchid mothering." The Cattleya schilleriana does look great. So just use what you learned from last summer to benefit this one. And looking forward to seeing some blooms too. Good luck!

[silken]

Hope you do well with this and I will wait to see blooms. I just pre-ordered one which I will pick up on Friday at the orchid show in Edmonton! I don't think it will be as large or in spike like yours tho. But maybe

[estación seca]

How can you end a relationship in springtime?

Now that it is spring, Cattleyas want to grow. With an overnight soak in a kelp solution you might be surprised to find the plants make some new roots pretty quickly.

[Optimist]

I think you are right. I tried last year but they are still green (ish). I guess I am going to put them in semi-hydro today. (Its spring break, so I don't need to work). I was going to throw them out today, but I guess they are not in the trash can yet.

[estación seca]

Don't put them in S/H if they're unhealthy. That's an almost sure way to kill them. Bare-root the plants today. Soak them for a day in clean water. Then use the sphag and bag method. I have some very large jars I use for rerooting bad Catts.

Also today, get some kelp solution. First Ray's carries Kelp-Max, which I think works well. When you have that, give the plants another day-long soak in the kelp, then back to the sphag and bag.

Repot into S/H or other media when the new roots are a couple of inches long.

With these dry-damaged plants, remember they have few reserves, and the tiny roots they make might be all they have energy for. So they need to stay very humid.

[Optimist]

We were talking about this before. At what point do you give up? I personally gave up when I bought the cattleya. I told myself it was a replacement. I have several cattleyas I have had since they were seedlings which are doing wonderfully. I treated them all the same. Frankly, the one that died, or is dying is my favorite, a thin orange multi foliate, and the one that is looking great is not my favorite color or type, but it is what it is. I am sure there are people out here who have lost everything to a greenhouse disaster, or a tropical storm (etc.) so I really think my original plan, to jettison these two who are taking up space and replace them with new plants is the best one.

I have learned from this experience and that is either take them in when the weather gets above 90 or provide a fan for them.