Cattaleya runts ('cause i'm not blaming myself!)

[irrka]

I bought three catts on sale a few months back. When they arrived, one of them was obviously healthy and kicking and two seemed tiny and worn. Then when i dug through their roots it turned out that the two were indeed three, so now i have three runt plants. I sphag and bag'ed them until they showed some root growth and then stuck them in s/h. I even thiomyl'ed them, following Ross' advice. They're sitting in a southern window, next to the radiator, in a humidity tray. I've a fan going and even got a mister. And while they look like they're trying to put out new growth of some sort, the plants just look so miserable and chewed (and no, my cat didn't go there). Any suggestions? Here are the pics. Picasa Web Albums - Irene - Sad cattaleyas

[Ross]

You know, I looked at those photos and said to myself "what do I say?" These plants look rough but pretty normal. I really don't see any disease or varmint damage. If you have treated them with Thiomyl, then leave them be till it does it's job, but I don't see anything but normal nusence black spots and leaf splitting (who hasn't had that before?) Really, the key is the roots. If you are sure they are OK, then what we see here isn't esthetic, but nothing to worry about. Just my

[irrka]

so you think they'll pick up? should i unpot them and see if the roots are still ok? there werent many but they were growing and i've been KLN'ing them religiously

[gmdiaz]

Leave them be. . .don't keep peeking.

Looks like you're just gonna have to wait em out. . .one day you'll turn around to check on them and they'll have garnered their gusto.

[snow]

i agree with ross. take it a little easy on the watering untill they start showing some good rootgrowing.AND LEAVE THEM ALONE

[DebsC]

I bet they'll be okay. Just give them time to recooperate. I wouldn't bother them or over water, either.

They do look sad now, but Spring is on it's way and they'll begin to perk up.

[Jo Ann]

Hi irrka,

I’m not sure if this will make you feel any better but here are the two that I was on the verge of chucking out. After several attempts at trying to get it right I caused both of them to get root rot...so in despair I left both alone with no medium in the net pots I put them in a shady spot and just didn’t bother them anymore. As you can see they are both putting out new roots…this experience has taught me to have more patience…

[irrka]

Thanks guys! I guess i'll just take a deeeeeep deeeeep breath! also maybe i'll put them somewhere where they would be away from my fretting/harassment for a bit

[Pseudo-Scientist]

Jo Ann has it totally right.
Just leave them alone for a little while, with minimal watering.

Often, I find stressed orchids need to be left alone to get their rythm back. But first, you usually have to cut dead roots away and get them some humidity.

It like a puppy. If you let it go, and it comes back to you, then its yours.

[SheilaJ]

I've got some potinara that look similarly sad. Some have pulled through, some haven't.

As my mother used to say when I was ill, "Either it will get better or it will get worse"! Benign neglect and patience are all you can do right now. Maybe time to buy something new to tend in the meantime?