Cattleya Stem Bruising
 

I recently received this piece of a cattleya that was dehydrated, had no roots, and a rather soft and flimsy new growth. This new growth was pliable and wrinkly all over, and could not physically support itself.

After washing off the plant with a physan solution and wiping off the plant, the creases on the the newest growth darkened.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...288/image0.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...335/image0.jpg

I left the plant overnight, and it seems like the stem has continued to darken. My suspicion is that the area has gotten bruised.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...394/image0.jpg

What should I do next for 1.) dealing with the damage on the newest growth (i.e. expectations for its health), and 2.) the overall recovery of the plant.

The base has already been soaked in kelp solution, so I was thinking of just potting the plant up in sphagnum in a clay pot, and leaving it to be, monitoring the stem for any further spread of the dark patch. If the dark spot spreads further, I will cut the bulb off to preserve the eyes at the base.

I was considering a humidity chamber, but I feel like the newest growth is especially succeptible to any further infections.

It could also be from lack of water. Just give the plant good care. This growth may wither away. It will eventually grow normally.

Thanks for the response- I wonder if it may be safer to remove the affected areas above the node just in case?

Just wondering if such an amputation may be too much of an action and may set the plant back significantly at a point when it needs every last bit of energy, or if it's a necessary precaution.

I would not amputate unless you see signs of spreading infection. That black stuff may be pretty much on the surface or the growth may just wither away. If you cut and shouldn't have, you can't put it back so don't be in a hurry to cut. At this point, just observe.

Unless you're growing it in a hot and very humid environment you're very unlikely to see fungal infection. I leave sunburned and inadequately watered portions on my Cattleyas until they turn dry and papery, at which time they almost fall off with a touch.

Ok thanks- I'll keep the growth intact for now. It doesn't seem like there's any spread of the patch so far, but I think there is some level of cell collapse, likely due to the aforementioned damage. I don't think the upper portions of the new growth will make it.

I'm also thinking of instead potting it up in a cup with some spaghnum or with some leca rather than my typical bark mix, mainly due to the total lack of roots- I think it would need more continuous humidity rather than the typical wet-dry cycle.