I am new to growing orchids. I have a cattleya in a four inch pot. A few of the leaves curled and looked withered, so I watered. Then black spots developed. I removed the plant from the pot and all the roots in the pot broke off. there are still roots circled around the base of the plant. There are a couple new roots and new stalk with leaves.
Without more historical information, this is only a guess, but what I see is a plant that has not gotten proper feeding (maybe very shy on Mg, judging by the patchy, pale leaves) and has been sitting in sour potting medium for a long time.
Yes, it can be saved. My remedy would be to repot it into fresh medium, and add a teaspoon of Epsom Salts per gallon you your irrigating water for the next couple of waterings, then do it once a month thereafter.
Tell us more about your location, growing conditions and how it has been treated, and maybe we can make some better suggestions.
Without more historical information, this is only a guess, but what I see is a plant that has not gotten proper feeding (maybe very shy on Mg, judging by the patchy, pale leaves) and has been sitting in sour potting medium for a long time.
We live in Hilo, Hawaii, at about 750-foot elevation.
The orchid is a Cattleya Coerulea Olata x Acquinii
It was purchased about five months ago while it was in bloom. See attached picture.
It sits among a few other orchids in an East facing bay window behind the kitchen sink. They receive about an hour of direct sun first thing in the morning, then indirect light. The windows are always open, so there is airflow. It rains nearly every day here, and temperatures are typically between 65-90 degrees.
The orchids are watered every 7-10 days and fertilized about once a month with miracle grow orchid formula. We recently discovered MSU fertilizer and will be switching soon.
I included another photo from the side. All the roots that were in the pot are gone.
Last edited by drmoonshine; 10-19-2019 at 08:54 PM..
Without more historical information, this is only a guess, but what I see is a plant that has not gotten proper feeding (maybe very shy on Mg, judging by the patchy, pale leaves) and has been sitting in sour potting medium for a long time.
Yes, it can be saved. My remedy would be to repot it into fresh medium, and add a teaspoon of Epsom Salts per gallon you your irrigating water for the next couple of waterings, then do it once a month thereafter.
Tell us more about your location, growing conditions and how it has been treated, and maybe we can make some better suggestions.
The "best" first suggestion is in Ray's second paragraph. Wholeheartedly agree. I'm sure he or another long term grower will come along and assist now that you've given details. Do you need help with how to put it back in a pot, media you use?
Maybe also consider a coarser media and basket, more ventilated pot, or a clay pot? I think you may want a setup that lets the root zone dry out faster too.
Roots broke, leaves withering, black spots.
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