Pseudobulb Browning on P. elata

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Congratulations on the spikes.

While it does feel good to see spikes and flowers, just as a reminder, the plant's health comes first. Make an effort to not get too preoccupied with the upcoming flowers.

Hopefully after all is taken care of you'll be able to sit back and reap the reward of seeing flowers while knowing that the plant will continue to live on and give you more flowers in the future.

Should the flowers blast for any reason, be consoled by the fact that as long as the plant survives, you'll get flowers the next blooming season.

[abigaillevans]

Philip -- I agree with you wholeheartedly!

Do y'all think soaking the media will have any negative effect on the pseudobulb in question? If you do, I might consider potting that bulb separately so as not to imperil the rest of the plant.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'm not quite sure I understand what it is you're asking about. Can you clarify please?

[abigaillevans]

If I pre-soak the media I'm using to re-pot the plant, and if I'm supposed to withhold water from the rotting pseudobulb, should I put the plant in dry media or in soaked media? Is it safe to put the bulb in wet media once the bruise has been removed, or should I leave it dry for a while? If the former, I'll pot the whole thing up together. If the latter, should I separate that bulb from the rest of the plant to cut the risk of harming the other pseudobulbs?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Pre-soaking the potting media prior to use for whatever reason it needs to be pre-soaked for is fine, but do not re-pot while the media is still wet. That is adding fuel to the problem. Allow the potting media to dry out completely before using.

Watering the plant must be withheld for at least 2 weeks in order for the bruising to not recur.

Removal of the entire bruised pseudobulb is an option. However, it may not be necessary. The decision to remove the entire pseudobulb or not is made at your discretion.

Keep in mind that if you are going to remove only a portion of the diseased pseudobulb, the area removed must encompass a bit more than just the bruised spot. The wound must also be sealed.

If what I said sounds confusing and needs more clarification, please don't hesitate to ask. I will do my best to make it clear and understandable. There will be no judgement passed.

[abigaillevans]

I think I've got it -- you all have been very thorough!

Thank you!

[abigaillevans]

Update: I re-potted the plant today and, unfortunately, ended up having to discard the rotted pseudobulb entirely. To cut the entire bruise out I would have had to cut off the whole bottom of the bulb, including all of its roots and the eyes from which new growth emerges. 85% of the bulb would have had to be discarded and the little nubbin that would have been left behind wouldn't have survived.

When I pulled the plant out of the pot I was a little incredulous at how it was potted -- the top layer had bark, pearlite, and moss in it, yes, but the media under the plant was all potting soil. The man I got it from said it wouldn't need to be repotted and I took his word for it... that's the LAST time I ever do that!

That being said, the rest of the plant looks very healthy and is adjusting to its new pot. It went from a 10" pot full of (AGH!) potting soil, bark, etc. and into an 8" pot with sphagnum moss, charcoal, sponge rock, and bark.

Thank you all for all of your advice! Hopefully the plant will be happier in its new home.

[silken]

Good job! It's best to take it back a little into healthy tissue anyways to ensure you get all the rot. It may be there but not visible if you don't go far enough. I'm sure it will be much happier in your care!

[abigaillevans]

Update!

Unfortunately, one other immature pseudobulb that looked sickly when I repotted the plant didn't make it. That stinks

However, the two growths I thought were spikes are actually two immature pseudobulbs, and the new growth pictured above is maturing quickly into a pseudobulb as well. All three new growths are putting out roots that are MUCH fatter and happier-looking than the other roots on the plants. I guess three pseudobulbs will make up for the two I lost while figuring out how to grow it, right??

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Keep it up.