New cattleya shoots no new roots
 

Hello I am new to the board and was hoping to get some input.

I recently purchased some large cattleyas from lowes. Upon getting them home i repotted them as they were overwatered. most of the roots had to be removed. Meanwhile 4-6 new shoots are growing on each plant. one plant they are almost 2 inches long and the othe 1 to 11/2 inches long. no new roots are forming like on my other cattleyas.

Is this normal? Should i worry? Is there anything i can do or should do?

They are:
BLC. Burdekin Wonder 'Lake Land'
BLC. Hsinying Flash 'Fire Flame'

Yes, for some of my catts, this is perfectly normal. One doesn't get roots until it is blooming. I also have the ones that put out roots very quickly. Nothing to worry about. The backbulbs should sustain it until new roots appear. Good luck and welcome!

Roots will come. Some plants, the new growth is pretty big before they start roots.

Thanks for the reply. that was fast.

I just worry cause most of the roots rotted off from being overwatered in the store.

Backbulbs are pretty shriveled but not slowing new growth yet.

I only mist 3 times a week as to not ror the plants is this ok. and water every other week

If you just repotted the plants in new medium I think you need to water more. What kind of medium did you use? Cattleyas like to dry out between waterings but you don't want them to be dry for long periods. Water as soon as the plants dry out. This could be every couple days or longer. It depends on your humidity levels, temperature, and light levels you grow your plants in. New medium also dries out a lot faster than older medium. How many roots do the plants have? You mentioned you had to cut most of the roots off. If the plants only have a few roots keep them in high humidity until they grow new roots. Also if they don't have really any roots, keep them a bit shaded until they grow some new ones. Good luck!

My first Catt ever also had nearly non existant roots when I got it. I simply potted it up, kept it anchored witha rhizome clip and then put it somewhere warm and shady. Within a few weeks it start to root. Catts are really tough plants, and those new leads should put out roots in no time at all. :)

In my experience, once roots rot on mature growth it won't make anymore roots. Instead the pbulbs will put their energy into making new growths. If these older pbulbs have very few if any roots, just keep the humidity as high as you can. Warmth is good too. But what you want is the new growth. That is the future.

Yes, you will definitely need to water it more often. Maybe keep spraying 3x per week and water thoroughly 1x per week.

I'm sitting here looking at my cattleya intermedia that just finally lost it's flowers. 5 each on 4 inflorescences.
The plant has a total of 10 pbulbs all in a 4 inch plastic pot. Intermedias are around 12 inches tall. The flowers were open on the table here for 6 weeks. As soon as the flowers started fading the pbulbs started growing new roots. These are not for the pbulbs that flowered but are the new roots for the new buds growing at the base of each pbulb that flowered. That is the habit of most cattleyas. The new buds grow to maturity, then flower, then produce new buds which trigger new root growth. That is the time you start watering. Lightly at first and more as the new roots elongate. the old pbulbs don't require a lot of water because they are not growing themselves but just giving up the energy stored in them. If you water too much you will induce rot. Also the more air movement the better. Your BLC's, when they put out new buds, should be starting to put out new roots shortly. I'd love to see some pictures.

thanks all that replied.

james i have pictures but have no idea how to post here.

Thanks all who replied.

I have started watering more like mentioned. maybe getting wet while make it think it is the wet season?

James here are some pics. first two are the same and second two are the same.

Attachment 67847

Attachment 67848

Attachment 67849

Attachment 67850

Those p-bulbs are pretty shriveled up. I would definitely increase the watering regimine while the new growths are increasing in size as it takes a lot of energy to make them. Then cut back on the water once the growths are as big as they will get.

All the new shoots look nice!
Well, I'm not that experienced with catts, but I do have three different types, all growing well so far.

As others mentioned, roots develop at defferent stage of growth for different catts.
I only have three, but they all have different habits.
One catt grows roots on the new lead at the same time the new lead is developing.
Another one waits until the new leads are completed before making roots on them.
Last one is somewhere between. This last one also kills its own roots on older pbs and focus on the new ones it seems.

I hope this helps relieve your worries a bit. :)

Hi. If there are no or just a few roots, water sparingly. Don't soak the media. There is nothing to take up the water so it will just sit there and be a perfect place for breeding all kinds of nasties. These new growths are getting their energy from the old pbulbs. That's why they are shriveling up like this. It's natural. Because the new buds will become a little stressed (don't worry) they will probably throw out a few roots sooner than normal. When you start to see the new roots growing from the base of the new growth, start watering a little at a time. Just enough to wet the surface of the media. As the new roots elongate, water a little more. But don't get the media soaking wet. Warm is good. Lightly misting the leaves is good. Especially the undersides of the leaves where the stoma are. These look like they will put out new roots in about a month to month and a half. But above all be patient. Orchids grow at their own pace. These look nice and healthy. Please keep us informed as they progress.

Yes, I agree that watering too much is no good, but watering once every other week in summer with such a dry, new media will most likely kill the plants as they throw out multiple leads. I think the watering 1x per week with 3x per week spraying regimen will provide adequate watering without rotting the roots.

What needs to be remembered is that there are no roots with which to take up the water. It would be better to spray the undersides of the leaves than to water too much. If it is 80-90 degrees out then water enough to provide some cooling. But with no roots, there will be no water uptake. It's around 75* in my greenhouse with about 50% humidity and my recue catts with no or few viable roots get along fine with just enough water on the top of the media to help keep the leaves cool and the humidity up. What I see in the picture of the old roots may take up just enough water to provide a little to the new growths. But what is really happening is that the old pbulbs are supplying all of the new growths needs. Water as often as you think necessary but try not to get the new media too wet. There's not much there to use it. Keep us informed.

one catt is putting new root growth . 3 actually and are growing fast.

been watering about 1x per week not to much and misting 2x per week.

New growth is going strong and not showing stress so so far so good.

will keep informed on progress