Cattleya with sunburn-what next?
 

I have a cat. that was in bloom as I was taking it to show someone. I left it in the car while attending an orchid auction. Apparently the car warm up quite a bit and the sun was on partially on its leaves. The next day I noticed portions of the leaves turning dark brown. I am sure it was sunburn as I have had it several years without any trouble. Question: Do I cut out or off the brown areas and treat with cinnamon or just leave it alone to see if it produces new growth. I did cut the flowers off. It has about 7-8 psuedo bulbs and not all the leaves are affected.

Some people cut, and some don't. I do, just to make sure the burn doesn't cause rot, and spread. Hope this helps.

Kim

The sunburn causes cosmetic damage only. There is nothing you can do. Over time the "damage" may spread as the portions that look green now secumb, but nothing to worry about, in my mind. It would be strange, indeed for all the leaves to be affected since some shade the others. They probably won't fall off for quite some time (possibly years) so be prepared to look at the damage for a while. :)

Ross is correct - the damage is done and the wound is clean and sterile. If you must trim it away, leave a tan fringe so you don't get to living tissue and expose it to pathogens.

Thank you Sr. members. Just what I thought but nice to comfirm.

sorry, but whats a tan fringe?

I don't mean to speak for Ray but, it would be thin edge of the brown when cutting off the brown. Don't cut into the green part.

Right. After a burn has occurred, the damaged tissue looks a lot like tan parchment. I was recommending leaving a small bit of that, if you want to trim the rest.