Hi! I'm totally green here.... I REALLY mean green

[Boonie Stomper]

Hopefully my being here will add a feather to my otherwise green thumbs, but I've never tried my hand at growing an orchid - until now.

I stumbled in here in a desperate search for a way to save a lovely (once?) plant I bought for my Dear Grandmother, who recently died, and reclaimed in cleaning out her residence. The photos I found here helped me (I think) to ID it as a Cattleya of some sort.

I can't remember. But all that is left is what (I think, again) you call 'pseudobulbs' - a clump of varying lengths, about 7 or 8 cigar - shape stems, with a few skinny roots coming out at some of the rings(?) along them, plus what's left of what had been in the pot the plant was in until the storm last week which tossed it out onto the ground. It has no leaves, but is green... mostly... is there any hope?



I may become a true believer and devoted to this if you can get me started properly.

I may not respond quickly at first (I'm on dial-up right now), but sometimes I can move like um, kudzu...

[Chubidubi]

Boonie
Don't worry about not knowing anything 'cause you'll learn a lot here. There are great people here with incredible expertise

[CoolPhrog]

Hi Boonie welcome to OB, we're glad you're here!

Can you post some pictures of your prchid so we can help you determine what needs to be done?

[Boonie Stomper]

Alas, my camera is presently defunct. I'm also about to go on a 10-day trip in a week, so I've gotta act fast.

Here's a fair description update:

I stuck this orchid in a little spag. moss at the end with the withered root remains, after 2 days of dunking it brieflly in some boggy water followed by some time atop/amidst the damp bag of spag. I'm trying to dry out in full sun (part of the time - sometimes the bag was tented).

Now, the tops of the longest pieces are yellow, but otherwise they are all green, ribbed longwise and tapered at each end, the fattest in the center being thumb-sized. I can see no leaves or new growth.

[John D.]

If it is a Catt they like high light but not full sun. Your plant with no leaves needs to start some new growths and roots. Look for the threads refering to spag and bag. Treat the plant with a soak in a fungicide and place in a bag with a moisture source but not in contact with it. (high humidity but not soaking wet). Place in low to medium light (you don't want to build up heat and cook it. With shriveled pseudobulbs and no roots it may not make it. With luck you will see new roots and a sprout. It may take several months.

[Ross]

Whoah! First, welcome. But I hope you read this before you leave. If your Cat is in a bag (tent) get it out of the sun or you will have cooked cat when you return. Cats are extremely resiliant to most forms of treatment. Even if the leaves are gone, the pseudobulbs will continue photosynthesis. To get the roots growing, however, you need to get a new growth growing. Alas, Cats can't grow new roots from old back-bulbs. No matter what, this will probably be a long, slow process to get it back on its feet. Don't expect flowers next year.

Now, the bag idea is normally recommended, but be very careful of mold. Get the moss off the plant - it won't help right now. Keep the plant/bag in a north or east window out of direct sun. When you leave on your trip, vent the bag to prevent mold. Don't water. Just place a wet paper towel inside the bag out of contact with any part of the plant. Once you see a new shoot forming at the base of the plant (we can only hope) then you can start looking for a suitable pot and potting mix. I would recommend waiting till little roots start at base of the new growth, then set the plant on a pot of coarse fir bark mix. You'll probably have to use wire or twist ties to hold it there. Keep the top of the bark wet or misted daily till the roots take hold.

[Boonie Stomper]

Whew! Thank you so much for your replies! I am soooo relieved to have this reassuring advice, so I can do the right thing before I go off for vacation.

Fortunately, this baby has a chance - it did'nt get boiled alive. I hope the yellowing is only a mile case of sunburn. (It was getting plenty of humidity and ventilation atop the bag of moss, I think.

Is feeding a good idea, since you say moss wont help, &/or is it a good idea to put some moss against areas where a bit of root is sticking out from the edge of a sheath?

[Ross]

NO! Don't feed or put anything in contact with the plant parts until new growths/roots are arriving. That will lead to rot and/or mold.

[Boonie Stomper]

Thanks for the warning; so (I know you'll correct me if this is wrong) the whole thing should be alone in the bag with damp towell in filtered sun with air vents... suddenly I'm thinking add a sprinkle of anti fungus powder & rootone???...

Should I . ..cut it???

[Ross]

Leave it! Let the plant alone till you get back. Try to leave enough air vent to keep bag from fogging up, but let the moss or paper towel stay damp to wet. Don't keep adding things, thinking you are helping. Every time you add something there is some shock to the plant and, in the end, that might cause it's death. Orchids are really strong plants and really want to survive. If we just slow the evaporation rate and let them do their thing, they "usually" pull through. Having said this, sometimes we lose a patient or two!