cat. Waianae Leopard with root problem
 

hello all..

I got this plant a few years ago (4 maybe) and it has followed me through 4 moves. Anyway I dont know everything about orchids now and I certainly didnt then and I think I may have mistreated it a little with too much water. It hasnt flowered in about 3 years and the leaves are very dark... so I think that it has not only been getting too much water but also not enough light.

My problem is that when I went to repot (the bark was 2 years old) I noticed that the roots were pretty rotten and after trimming there werent many roots left. I went ahead and repotted in 50% medium bark, 25% perlite, 25% moss. I also built a little single plant cellophane inclosure to keep humidity up with bi-daily misting and Ive been keeping the roots and medium dry (no watering).

My question is... Is there anything else I should be doing or should I be doing anything different. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated--I really dont want to lose this plant (we've been through so much together )

thanks

These are pretty predictable and you should start seeing root growth and new eyes when it begins warming up. I've cut all the roots off many cattleyas after their bloom season; learned that many growers in the Orient do this to stimulate growth with Catts and it works! None of mine have ever skipped a bloom season. After a major cutting, you should keep it dry which you say you're doing and in lower light until you begin seeing new growth which is when you'll want to move it into higher light and up the watering. Good luck, it should be fine.

If the leaves are dark, then it is certain that there is not enough light. The leaves should be a sort of chartreuse green.

Many orchids require a definite resting period when not actively growing. Overwatering will rot the roots. If the orchid is growing in the house...it would appreciate more humidity and infrequent waterings.