Bought neglected Cattleya at Walmart. What do I do?

[GWard]

Hello! My name is Gabe, and this is my first post here. I will make it to the introduction section next, but first I would like to beg for some help with this orchid I bought at Walmart today. It is in rough shape, but is there hope for it? I am not sure if this is the right section to post in for this. If it isn't, can it be moved to the right one?

Thanks a bunch!
Gabe

[GWard]

And my second post:

[DeeP0]

Well, it doesn't look too good, but I wouldn't say it's definitely dead. It's going to try to put out a new growth which will in turn produce new roots. Different people have different ways to encourage this. You definitely want to keep the humidity up around this plant, whether you place it on a bed of moss, placed in a pot over a humidity tray, etc.

Next, you'll want to use mainly bark, or really anything but moss to pot it. Cattleyas like to dry out between waterings, and moss isn't ideal for them. Just make sure that whatever you do, you don't rot the growth, because that might kill it. Or it just might not produce a growth. Just do what you can, but it's not a sure thing.

[rbarata]

It seems severely dehydrated.
I would pot it in medium bark mixed with coconut husk and water it carefully avoiding water in the leaves, canes and new growths. Water only the roots.
But, as I'm no expert, let's see what others have to say.

[dounoharm]

hmm, it is dehydrated, we all agree on that....I do not know your location or environment to grow....but, as a rule, you ONLY use large bark chunks with cattleyas....the bagged media you see in Walmart and lowes is just awful stuff...if that's all you can get, pick thru and get only the biggest stuff in there....pot it in a small pot, a 4" I think...put some wine corks in the bottom, and wedge the plant in the pot with the big chunks. pack those chunks in TIGHTLY! cattleyas need to be hugged tightly and securely in their pot...there can be NO movement of the plant in the pot. if it seems to want to tip over, put the pot inside a larger pot. I like to use clay. put it on top of a plate of small gravels, and water once a week or ten days. it must form new roots, the roots on it now are useless.....oh, and cut those dead leaves and the 'stem' off...that stem is called a psuedobulb, and it stores energy for the plant to use...the little green nub at the bottom of the biggest psuedobulb is where the new growth will come from...good luck!

[silken]

I agree on the chunky bark. When I get a plant like this, I always give the roots a soak in some seaweed solution for an hour first to encourage root growth and I also soak the bark overnight. Drain it well before using and then pot the plant up. A bamboo kebab skewer or other stick would be a good stake to stake one growth well in the pot so the plant doesn't move around. as mentioned they like to be secure or roots don't develop well. Don't be tempted to overwater it just because it looks dehydrated. More people kill Catts from over watering than under watering. The existing plant likely won't plump up. What you need are those new little roots to keep going and the new little eye to produce a new growth. I often use some seaweed in the water the next few times you water once it is potted just to ensure good root growth. Liquid seaweed can be found in most hydroponics stores and most brands that I have tried work quite well. Or if you have some SuperThrive, it will work in a similar way.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I grow mostly Cattleyas, and I have revived worse.

Don't pot it up yet. It appears it has some live roots. First, you want to soak the roots, maybe an hour at a time, each day. Leave it bare root in between soaks. You want to keep doing this until you start seeing signs that the stems (pseudobulbs) are taking in some water and signs of growth are apparent (new roots, or new shoots developing). At least initially, I would focus on just providing water. Later on, you can try soaking the roots in a solution of seaweed (kelp) extract to stimulate root growth.

After you get some growth going on, repot in a coarse medium such as bark (something that dries in a day or two; no sphagnum). IME, using a smallish terracotta pot works best.

Good luck!

[bil]

My advice would be, unless you want to spend a lot of time pulling a catt back from the brink, bin it and buy a healthy specimen.

[estación seca]

I think you can save it. Keep us informed. I would do what Orchid Whisperer said.

[GWard]

I have told you guys wrong. I just found the card that came with the orchid. It is a Dendrobium. Along with being a novice with orchids, I am forgetful as well - I put the card in my pocket without looking at it. Does this change what I need to do?