Broke a new lead. Now what?
 

Hello all,

I am so angry at myself. I should have repot this one earlier. I broke of a developing new lead on a Rhyncholaelia cross (space where it broke is pictured first). It was sitting against the edge of the pot and the act of moving the pot snapped it off. It was just jutting out of the eye maybe an inch.

It was at about the same stage in growth as the other lead in the second photo.

Have I completely ruined that direction of growth now? Will it start to grow another off that pseudobulb maybe in a slightly different spot. I feel so bad about it.

The plant will figure it out, its not like this doesnt happen in their natural habitats! One of my catasetums abandonded a very small new growth when I repotted it, but sent out a new one just about a week after. Not sure how it is for Rhyncholaelias, though.

Forgive yourself, be happy you have another new lead coming along at the same time, and move forward. Only the plant can decide how it will deal with this. Likely by starting a new lead later in a different direction.

I agree with the other posts. Forgive yourself and wait a few weeks (months?). The plant will put out another growth. Maybe more than one!

In my considerable experience you should also buy another plant as a penalty.

I agree, I had the same thing happen last Monday and as penanced I order two new orchids from Seattle orchids on Wednesday, they arrived yesterday and now I have two new little ones to grow into adulthood.:biggrin:

Just wait for another lead. It'll be fine. It may take a bit longer, but it will be okay.

Every new plant is a potential plant to be broken.:rofl:

I have done this and I know how frustrating it is. Fortunately, your orchid will be fine. It has other eyes and one or two of them will soon begin to develop. Just keep the wound dry until it heals over so it cannot get an infection (I have also done that....).