wrinkled leaves on cats and moths

[jcann9960]

Hi,
I am new to the site but have grown orchids for years. I have noticed on my cattleyas and Phalaenopsis plants that the older leaves are wrinkled. And primarily on the moths the old leaves are limp and leathery feeling. Is this normal or is it an indication that I am not giving them enough water. Thanks for your help.

Jim

[silken]

Welcome to Orchid board

It sounds like they are somewhat dehydrated. But this could be from giving them too much water just as easily as it being not enough. It depends on the condition of the roots. Many people over water their orchids and cause root rot. This in turn makes the plant unable to take up enough water, so the leaves wilt. People think it is dying of thirst and add even more water!!

So the first thing to do would be assess if you are an over waterer or not and to check the roots.

After 5 posts, you can post pics and that might help too, but a look at the roots would be the first line of action.

[jcann9960]

Thanks, I will take a look at the roots. Should all the roots look white and plump?

[silken]

Prettty much. On both Catts and Phals the newer roots are white with a green growing tip. When they are wet they turn green. A good way to tell if it is time to water. Often older roots, especially Phal roots on top of the media or in a brown media such as bark can turn brownish. This is fine. If they are firm or plump, they are good, hollow or soft and mushy are dead/rotten. Those can be removed with a sterile cutting tool.

Some growers use bamboo kebab skewers placed down into the pot as a gauge for when to water. For Catts, pull it out and when it is dry it is time. For Phals, almost dry or just dry is time to water. Then water them well and let them almost or mostly dry out again before watering. I leave the skewer in place so it is as wet or dry as the media would be.

[jcann9960]

Thanks for the info. A lot of my roots are mushy and look hollow. I thought this was normal because I just purchased a Cattleya from a major grower while I was in Chicago. Their roots look the same as mine.

[silken]

No, that is not normal. Many of my Catts and Phals have pots full of fat white roots, even pushing thru the air holes and climbing over the tops. They do like really good air circulation. I prefer clear pots, but many growers use other types. Roots do some photosynthesizing so I like clear, as well as you can see what is going on in the root zone better.

[jcann9960]

Thanks, It opened my eyes on part of the plant that I haven't taken much thought about. I read several articles about root care and watering. I should have thought something was wrong when the roots above the pot were healthy but down in the bark pretty much dead. When the plants bloom for me every year I thought all was well.

[silken]

Well, there must be enough good roots to keep it blooming. But healthy roots equals healthy plant to a large degree, so it is important to know how they are in the pot. What are you growing them in and how often do you repot? If it is a chunky open medium (especially for the Catts) the medium should stay good for 2 to 3 years. But over potting can cause root rot too as the contents of the pot stay wet for too long. I find my plants outgrow their pots before 3 years is up.

[jcann9960]

I grow them in coarse bark sold by my local store. I usually keep them growing in the pot I bought them in or when outgrown in an old pot not being used. The pots are usually plastic or ceramic. Repotting every couple of years after it has bloomed.

[silken]

Hopefully sterilizing used pots as virus can be passed along if using unsterile pots or cutting tools. I re-use pots as well as clear ones cost a bit more and not as easy to find.