Can this Cat be saved? - Orchid Board

TamiP · #1 12-31-2018, 07:33 PM

This came in the mail today with the roots bare and dried (soaking now in kelp mix) but, the 2 smaller canes are turning black and a bit mushy.

TamiP · #2 01-01-2019, 11:32 AM

I didn't get any replies so I did my best to clean this poor little thing. I have no previous experience with Cattleya's so I just did my best. Looks like there might be at least 2 viable roots but we'll see. Do any of you have any idea what the black on the remaining leaf may be? It's hard not soft.

SouthPark · #3 01-15-2019, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamiP

I didn't get any replies so I did my best to clean this poor little thing. I have no previous experience with Cattleya's so I just did my best. Looks like there might be at least 2 viable roots but we'll see. Do any of you have any idea what the black on the remaining leaf may be? It's hard not soft.

This pseudobulb with roots looks saveable for sure. But there must be some kind of disconnect here... because this pseudobulb hasn't got any rot on it, and looks plump - whereas your original photo shows two bulbs, and both of them appear to be rotting and in bad shape. Maybe spraying the good part of the plant's leaves and stem with 5% hydrogen peroxide, and later applying a suitable fungicide spray on leaf and stem will be beneficial. The roots look ok. Maybe you can add a little bit of auxinone to the water whenever you do watering.

The black and hard bit on the leaf might be ok. Hard and dry is good. If it doesn't increase in size with time, and if it doesn't produce any yellow patches around the rim of it, then should be no problem. It's not uncommon to have previous damage that becomes benign like that - harmless.

Dollythehun · #4 01-01-2019, 01:18 PM

Bump. I don't think your post showed up last night. I have a recent post about rescuing a catt. It might help you. I'm not much help on the black spot, except to say some of mine have that cosmetic damage. Watch to see if it spreads.

TamiP · #5 01-01-2019, 01:32 PM

Thank you Dolly! I cut off 3 canes that had rot and were mushy and most of the roots were goners as well but there were 2 that turned green and one of them looks pretty new to boot. We'll just have to wait and see. As for your cat, to get the humidity high you can lightly cover with a plastic bag. Make sure there are a couple of holes in the top but it might help.

I'm going to leave this guy bare root and put it in a jar with a bag over it and a wet cotton ball not touching the orchid and see what happens.

Dollythehun · #6 01-01-2019, 01:34 PM

You misunderstood. Mine is rescued and blooming.

TamiP · #7 01-01-2019, 01:35 PM

Oh, okay, I just read the part of the thread where you were rescuing it then. Sorry. My mind seems to have left with my eyesight. LOL

isurus79 · #8 01-02-2019, 01:01 PM

It might be salvageable, but will take years of doting and extra care. Personally, I'd toss it. Did a vendor sell this to you?

TamiP · #9 01-02-2019, 01:22 PM

Yes I did buy it off ebay and the guy is sending a replacement but if I can save this one as well, bonus.

I happened to see you're in Texas, do you know of any clubs in the Lake Jackson area by chance?

isurus79 · #10 01-02-2019, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamiP

I happened to see you're in Texas, do you know of any clubs in the Lake Jackson area by chance?

Unfortunately, I think the closest societies are either Houston or Galveston.

I love the Lake Jackson area though. Beautiful part of the State!