Black Pbulb on New Growth - RLC AnnieBelleKrullSmith

[realoldbeachbum]

This gorgeous orchid was purchased three months ago and has not been repotted. The newest growth has slowly developed a black pbulb. The upper portion of the growth is great and so is the rest of the plant.

Environment: It has had sufficient light (grow lights) 16 hours per day, watered with K-Lite every week or so -- whenever it felt light when I picked it up, and has shown no visible problems (other than a dried sheath due to shipment).

It is in a grow room with windows and doors open and fan running 24/7. Temps have been between 70 F nights & 90 F days. (Alabama summer!)

It sat outside for 3 days during a hurricane rain (wet & warm), along with a few other large Catts. Some of those Catts are suffering from Black Rot (probably) and have been trashed or are being treated. Their black spots were vastly different than AnnieBelle's: They were ONLY in the middle of the growths, they appeared very quickly after the hurricane rain, and they did NOT breach the pbulb.

Another thing about AnnieBelle's ailment is that when I cut the pbulb at the base, the flesh was dark brown -- a LITTLE purple perhaps (or maybe my imagination), whereas flesh on other Catts was bright green.

What would you do if this were your Catt? I am lost. Thanks so much. ROBB

RLC Annie Belle 'Krull-Smith' — Postimages

[estación seca]

Not sure, but I would cut off the next growth at the rhizome with a sanitized blade. Keep going until there's nothing sickly. Wash your hands along with sanitizing the blade.

Prepare yourself for the possibility it's already gone.

[realoldbeachbum]

Thank you, ES, for the quick reply. I will do as you say -- but DON'T WANT TO LOSE HER! She has gorgeous blooms.

---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:07 PM ----------

OK ES, I just now cut with razor down to clean flesh (no dark color), sprayed immediately with Phyton27, then sealed with cinnamon. Follow on questions:

What do you think it was? Are the plants arround it now in danger? Should I repot it? If so, in what?

Thank you soooo very much!

[estación seca]

My guess is the high heat and humidity predisposed to fungal or bacterial attack. I don't know whether other plants will be affected. I would repot into fresh medium and wait to water for a few days. If it's still extremely humid there consider bringing it into the house for a while.