Sick Catt

[Lilac]

This is the yellow Cattleya I bought at the orchid fair last month. It's leaves were always rather pale but I attributed it to perhaps some sort of fertilizer or chemical they used to induce blooming in time for the fair.

When the blooms dropped I re-potted in bark. I noticed the leaves were still a very pale green, very yellowish. The roots were all brown and dark beige, but firm, and never got green upon watering.

I put it with the rest of the orchids and happily the leaves did become slightly darker green.

The other day I noticed the black area starting, and one leaf is turning yellow.

I took it out and saw there are no new roots starting.

I have put it in 'isolation sick bay' but is there anything else I can do for it?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[tucker85]

When I have cattleyas like that I place them in pot or vase with no media. Just stand the plant in the container. You can have a little water in the bottom but the plant should not touch the water and the water isn't necessary but it does provide moisture. I mist the root area very well, two or three times a week. I keep the plant in low to medium light, like phalaenopsis light. Don't fertilize. If you have seaweed extract, you can spray a dose of that on, but if you don't have it, don't worry about it. Then I wait until new roots are visible at the base of the newest pseudobulb. It can sometimes take from a few week to a couple months. When the new roots start, plant it in a very small container that has room for one or two new pseudobulbs. Remember to mist the roots regularly while you're waiting for roots to start. Good luck.

[Leafmite]

Good luck! I hope it will recover for you!

[Lilac]

Thank you so much Tucker85! Will do!

Thank you Leafmite!

[euplusia]

I fear I have to tell you bad news. It looks like some kind of rot has completely destroyed this plant, possibly Fusarium or black rot.
Flowering is always a stress for a plant. It is good to let the plant undisturbed for one month after the blooms have dropped.

[Lilac]

Thank you euplusia. I was thinking also that it was some kind of rot.

But I will leave it where it is for now to see how it progresses. Either way it will be a learning experience.

Although I still hold out hope for it

[Nexogen]

I hope it will recover

[Lilac]

Thank you Nexogen! I do hope so too!

[james mickelso]

I too think this catt is gone. But........orchids want to live. You won't get any new roots but possibly, just possibly you might get a growth out of the base of the newest pbulb. Take off the sheath material and see what the area looks like. But it looks like rot has already spread to your orchid. As it progresses it will make the pbulb soft. I would keep it away from the other orchids. With rot the leaves are the last to go. Sorry. Most likely the orchid was kept too wet. I can't stress enough that most orchids like to be watered then left to dry thoroughly. All it takes is one time when the orchid doesn't dry out and rot sets in and starts it's rampage through the pbulbs. In their natural settings, orchids grow on exposed situations and get wet but the wind is blowing and even though it may be humid, it is warm and windy which dries them out quickly. Where there is little organic litter among the roots, this drying out keeps fungus at bay.

[Lilac]

oh james michelso that makes me sad. Today the yellower leave just fell right off! Its bulb was firm but I cut it off with sterile scissors. The pbulb on one is pitch, shiny black, but very firm.

I have isolated it, bare root with just a little bark on the bottom of the pot to rest on as Tucker suggested.

I'll see how it is tomorrow.