Bulb rot in Cattleya labiata?

[papayj]

A pseudobulb of my C. labiata turned brown at the base of the bulb. Is this a sign of infection? Should I cut way the bulb and treat with fungicide? Thank you in advance!

[Orchid Whisperer]

It is a bacterial infection (fungicide will not help). [Oops . . . incorrect. Read later post, below. Advice to cut & remove affected tissue, with drying period, remains the same] Carefully examine the base of any nearby pseudobulbs and the connecting rhizomes. Cut off any that are even starting to turn brown; it may save the plant.

After you cut, leave the plant dry (no mist, no water) and observe the area where pseudobulb was removed. Cut off any more pseudobulbs that start turning. After 2 or 3 weeks, with no more pseudobulbs going brown, you can carefully start watering again. If you have a bactericide, such as Physan, you can treat with that.

I am going through the same problem with my Cattleya Orglade's Blaze that I posted about a month or two ago. I'm in the middle of week 1 of the dry watch & wait period. I wish you luck with your plant!

[papayj]

Thank you for the advice!

The pbulb in question had indeed rotten inside...with blackish brown rot in the core. And it already spread through the rhizome to the neighboring bulbs...and I had to cut extra more to be sure

Now it has only three small back bulbs left. I really hope for it to recover...I really loved its bloom. (sigh)

[Luizacft]

If your plant has dormant eyes on those back bulbs, she will be able to recover. Try to understand why the bulbs rot, this might lead to avoid this problem in the future. Sometimes we learn the hard way :-( Cattleya labiata is a gorgeous plant, best of luck on her recover!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Orchid Whisperer]

I had originally posted that this was a bacterial infection. Technically, that is incorrect.

Read: Orchid Diseases especially the part on black rot, and read the provided links on black rot. Technically, this is considered a "water mold", which is not a bacteria, but is not really a fungus either.

My advice on treatment remains the same, except that later treatment with Physan will likely do nothing to help. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide may help (See http://www.staugorchidsociety.org/PD...ySueBottom.pdf; There are also some pricier specialty chemicals that may also help:http://www.staugorchidsociety.org/PD...idDiseases.pdf Isolation from other plants is also recommended.