Cattleyas with lots of dead roots but new growths

[JKeys]

Here are some pictures of my two cattleyas. They both have new growths, and one with new roots. However, all f the surface roots are dead. Should I repot them?






These pictures were taken a few days ago, so the growths have matured a tiny bit.

Sorry the pics are so big! I need to work on resizing images.

[NYCorchidman]

The roots do not look dead to me at all.
If they turn green when wet, then they are alive.
so test them with water.

Or you can gently twist the dry root. Dead ones are easily broken off or bent off. Live ones are fleshy or tougher to break or bend.

[silken]

The bark looks fairly new. Do you know when they were last potted? Usually you want to wait until the new growths are producing new roots before re-potting. However if I think a plant is in trouble rootwise I will re-pot any time. But to me, those roots and bark look dry and it maybe needs a more thorough soaking when you water. Then let them dry completely before watering again. A clay pot will dry out faster than plastic and new bark doesn't absorb much water, so things will get dry sooner than you may think.

[JKeys]

Ok. When I poke my finger through the hole at the bottom, it still feels damp. Can I still water? Also, lots of the roots feel mushy. Does this mean they are dead?

[silken]

If roots feel mushy and you don't know when it was re-potted, I would likely dump it out and check to see what's going on. Cut off all dead mushy or hollow roots. Soak new bark well before using. Rinse and clean up the remaining roots. I like to soak the healthy roots in a solution of seaweed water or rooting hormone like SuperThrive or KLN to promote new growth. Pot up in a pot with good drainage (maybe a plastic pot with more holes) and make sure pot is not much bigger than the root base. I like to secure the plant once potted so it doesn't move. rhizome clips work but I actually prefer a couple strips of masking tape across the top of the pot in several directions. I twist the middle part of it so there is no sticky side except on the ends that stick to the pot. this holds the plant from moving and roots grow better if it isn't constantly shifting in its pot. Only water again when bark and roots are dry but don't leave them dry for long.

[JKeys]

Ok, thanks. I'm pretty sure the plants were repotted in the summer, or early fall.

[tucker85]

The good news is that large cattleyas like that can survive a lot of difficulties. Even with some dead roots the plant will probably continue to produce new growths and new roots. I don't think the roots or the medium looks too bad. If you do plan to repot, keep the pot small, like Silken said. I actually think the pot it's in looks a little too large. Plastic is OK but I prefer clay for a big heavy plant like that. Also keep the rhizome on top of the medium, don't bury it. Personally, if the medium down in the pot looks as good as the medium on top, I don't think I'd repot. One good product is Physan 20. I use it once every month or two to control bacteria and fungus in the pot. Mixed at 1 teaspoon per gallon you can pour it through the medium or set the whole pot in a bowl of it. Good luck.

[JKeys]

Thanks all!

[james mickelso]

Please leave it alone. If the media looks like this on the top it looks like this throughout. Catts have dead , dying, and live roots all at the same time. Dead roots don't make a big deal. Just leave it alone. This is not the time to be potting orchids in the northern hemisphere. The new growths won't make new roots for quite awhile. And when they do there will still be a month or more before it becomes necessary to pot the plant. And now is not the time to water very much. It is in the 60's during the day and 40's at night here in socal and I water once a week to two weeks and my catts are doing just fine. There is not much light and warmth and they aren't growing much so just leave them alone. You water much now and rot could set in. Many catts pbulbs grow nearly to maturity before putting out roots. From the pics, these are doing just fine. Patience padawan.

[isurus79]

I'm with James on this. Those roots looks GREAT!! I don't know why you think they are dying. The bulbs on the plants look fat and healthy, as do the leaves. If it was repotted this summer, then there is no reason to repot. The bark looks fresh and there appears to be a new growth on the right side of the fourth picture and two growths on the second pic. Your plant is fine! Don't "fix" it!!

But do keep watering it since it does have new growth. What are your daytime max and nighttime min temps for where you grow?