Black coloring on Catt bulbs - Orchid Board

Domino · #1 11-03-2010, 05:40 PM

I got this catt about 2 weeks ago from a florist and there was a little of this black on one of the pseudobulbs but now it looks like it has spread to some of the other bulbs. What could it be?? How do I treat it? This is my first Catt and it is beautiful and smells great (and was kind of pricy) I would hate to lose it!

Royal · #2 11-03-2010, 06:32 PM

Black plant tissue is usually bad. BUT, it seems from the picture that you may be talking about the papery sheath around the pseudobulb. The outermost leaf will sometimes become this papery covering that eventually flakes off. It can cause issues if it is allowed to trap water, but it's normal for many plants with this type of growth habit.

If the actual pseudobulbs are black and mushy, I would probably take it out of its pot and remove all of the diseased tissue, making sure that each cut (with a sterile tool) is made into healthy tissue. It's a drastic approach, but clean margins will ensure you got all the bad stuff.

Domino · #3 11-04-2010, 09:52 AM

Oh good to know. When I get home this evening I will have to look more closely to see if it is the whole bulb or just the covering. Lets keep our fingers crossed for the covering!

Royal · #4 11-04-2010, 10:39 AM

You can see in the picture that the mature p-bulb, behind the one in question, has some residual papery stuff on it. That's totally normal. Hopefully as this new growth matures, the outermost leaf will dry like the others. Just be careful while it's green, it may (will) trap water.

Domino · #5 11-04-2010, 10:46 AM

I like to hear that its normal! I will have to watch for water trapping. If/when it does get trapped do I just dry it off on a regular basis or how should I go about fixing that problem?

Royal · #6 11-04-2010, 11:12 AM

Just be careful when watering, and water early in the day so it has time to dry before cool night temps. If a bunch of water gets in there you can just tip it over, or you can twist the corner of a paper towel and absorb some of the excess. You'll be fine.