I have this cute compact cattleya that have been in bloom for quite some time now. It had started to grow a new psudobulb and it looked great 2 days ago when I watered it. It had the dried paper sheath on the outside and I didn't poke at it too much so didn't notice anything then. Well, I was checking them out tonight and I noticed the entire growth was bent over. I wondered if I broke it somehow so I pulled the plant out to investigate. The psuedobulb was squishy and I pulled the dried stuff off of it and low and behold, it was rotten. I cut back on the pseudobulb but I don't know if I cut back enough. I also am unsure what exactly it is. The picture makes the ring in the rhizome look purple but I was looking under some pretty bright light and it's pretty black. Any thoughts on what it is? How To proceed? Thanks!!!!
I run water through the media when I water and water twice a week. I keep the plants in cabinets with a fan and humidity tray. This cabinet runs about 72 degrees F and anywhere from 40-50% humidity. (I have another cabinet that runs warmer and more humid....i have yet to figure out why this one is so dry. My friend has the same result with hers.) The roots on top dry out quick. I promise inside the pot isn't that dry. I do mist the roots on top almost daily or every other day
The death of new growths is often caused by Calcium deficiency. Give your orchid more Calcium so that future new growths will be healthy. Also, when watering, make certain water does not get into the new growth. If it does, use a little Isopropyl alcohol to dry the water.
I fertilize weekly with MSU fertilizer plus add some calcium and magnesium to the water when I fertilize. The water is also pH balanced to be slightly acidic so it should be available to the orchids