First ever Cattleya - dead root system
 

Hi


I received my first ever Cattleya a couple of days ago which I bought from eBay.

The only root above surface looked a little unhealthy so I decided to take it out of it's pot to have a proper look. It seems the entire root system is dead. I'm not sure how obvious it is from the photo but all the roots feel hollow and squishy; I'm pretty annoyed that I was sold it in this condition.

Can anyone give me some tips to give this little guy more of a chance? It has only two small growths and having never kept Cattleyas before it needs all the help it can get


Thanks :waving

---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:20 PM ----------

Pah; I can't attach a photo or a link to my posts. Perhaps because I'm a new member?

The plant is a Cattleya aclandiae

I would contact seller and see if they will replace. Their reputation is in danger so they might respond favorably.

I agree. Yes you need 5 posts then you can attach a picture.

If they don't help you out, catts are pretty good at bouncing back. You can strip off the mushy stuff on the bad roots and keep the stringy root part to help stabilize the plant in the pot. I use clear plastic pots with lots of air holes. Plant in chunky bark. I usually just spritz the good roots every few days and eventually more roots grow.

I see your plant is an Cattleya aclandiae. They like to be more on the dry side. Make sure you don't over pot and keep it airy.

Get some liquid kelp and soak the roots. I bought a catt at an orchid show that I thought I'd lose and I soaked it a few times and within a month it grew lots of roots.
The first picture was taken 2/6/15 the second one on 3/7/15. I have used it on several other orchids that I have divided with great results.

I second the kelp suggestion. And when rerooting the plant, keep it in the highest humidity you can provide. I wouldn't put a plant with damp medium into a sealed container. Allow some air circulation. Cattleyas are survivors.

I agree. Cattleyas are tough. At lot of times, cattleyas are shipped bare root from other countries and at times they would be without water for a month or so and yet they survive. I think you should try to contact the seller to see IF you can get an exchange or refund. A lot of times these sellers on Ebay say "no returns." If that is the case, I wouldn't be too upset because with water, good air circulations, and good light, your cattleya will bounce right back. Also if you can, get some KelpMax, that stuff will help your cattleya grow roots in no time. Good luck!

I have bought several Catts that have had no roots. TBH, I just pot them up in coarse bark and mist them regularly. So far I haven't lost one.

I agree that it is disgusting, but what can you do? Some people seem to pot the in moss - a complete no no as far as I am concerned, with the attitude that the plant will do ok long enough to be sold.

We then end up three years later with plants that have a solid mass of dead roots.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I hadn't thought to use seaweed to promote new roots; I have a bottle in a cupboard somewhere so I will give it a try. Will also put it in a makeshift greenhouse to bring the humidity up, it currently only gets around 60%.

Good to know that Catts are tough, I've nursed a Haraella and Aerangis back from the brink of a root apocalypse in the past but wasn't sure of this genus.

I've contacted the seller, more to make them aware than for a refund/exchange as it turns out I bought it over a week ago rather than the couple of days I originally thought

The root promoting hormones in seaweed extract are not stable at room temperature for very long. If it's more than a few months old, get another bottle. Store it in the refrigerator.