catt. with yellowing leaves

[jimbo0108]

I recently noticed a couple level starting to yellow on one of my catts. The leaves on a different pseudobulb are getting intentions and pits. I have checked for mites and I don't find any. I live in SW Florida...I know it's potted wrong and I plan on repotting after the flowers on it are done

[sweetjblue]

From the looks of your pics it appears that the plant is not receiving enough water as the leaves are desiccated.

Have you checked the roots and if so what condition are they in?


Judi

[tucker85]

I wouldn't worry about those two leaves. You can cut them off or wait until they fall off, but leave the pseudo-bulb on the plant. Your orchid looks like it might be a bifoliate cattleya. Bifoliates are very sensitive to being repotted. You can only repot them when you see new roots just starting to grow. Cattleyas also like to get very dry between waterings but, if the plant needs extra moisture, you can mist the visible roots occasionally. the wrinkled pseudo-bulbs at the rear of the plant probably won't ever rehydrate.

[jimbo0108]

It's possible that it hasn't gotten as much water as needed. I planted it in the pot it's in expecting to put drainage holes in the bottom but never got around to it. So I've really been careful with watering it...I basically only spray the exposed roots with water everyday...When I feel the moss it seems moist a little deeper so I just didn't want to risk the root rot. Through my research lately I've found out I need to put it in course bark with drainage. As for the shriveled pseudobulbs I'm curious what's causing them. Every cattleya I own has shriveled p.bulbs I was curious if it could be the excessive heat in the summer here in florida... otherwise they seem to be happy and flower every year. Any insight is appreciated

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

My recommendation is to check the roots first to make sure that they are in good shape and that there are enough roots to provide the necessary amount of water and nutrients to the plant before I would make it artificially rain by the bucket-load.

Should the roots be damaged badly, you may want to consider doing the opposite of watering more often.

Just giving my opinion, that's all...

[oscar freak]

Sorry to hijack your thread,but i had a very similar experience.i bought my catt at an orchid show on a wednesday it looked in perfect health brought it home and 2 days later the older leaves started turning yellow.i didnt water them as i was told to wait a day or 2.so was it dry or the sudden change in enviroment that did it i dont know but it seems fine now with new growth though i see some black spots on the new growth,should i be worried?and what are bifoliate catts/sorry again for the hijack

[jimbo0108]

No worries Oscar...glad to get responses. Bifoliate catts have 2 leaves. If you ever hear of unifoliates they ate the ones that have 1 leave. With my catts all the new growth gets those dark spots on them it's normal in my opinion.