To S/H or not to S/H

[JoshuaR]

Hello all
I found this on the street for garbage pickup. When I found it the tail end was snapped off. As you can see it only has one good root. Do you think I can put it in S/H in the condition it is in?

Thanks for the help

[Bud]

There is root rot and maybe that is the reason it was thrashed. You may spray the whole plant with hydrogen peroxide to rule out fungi and bacteria infestation after you clean the whole plant with anti bacterial dish soap and an old used toothbrush.
You may consider immediately giving it S/H culture but you need to stake the plant and make sure it doesn't wobble or move so roots can develop and grow down into the clay pellets. GL!

---------- Post added at 06:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 PM ----------

'tail end' snapped off is quite a puzzle to me....orchid plants don't have tails

[shushu45]

Originally Posted by Bud

[/COLOR]'tail end' snapped off is quite a puzzle to me....orchid plants don't have tails

I think he ment the back pseudobulbs.

[Bud]

Right, the back bulbs....

[AnonYMouse]

S/H is NOT a panacea for sickly plants! Do not attempt on unhealthy orchids.

[Nexogen]

Cattleya is not in very bad or in best conditions, I think you can put it in S/H, but you need to stake the plant.

Anyhow doesn’t a matter old root, the plant will need to grow new roots that are optimized to S/H.

[Ray]

My suggestion would be to give it an hour soak in warm water containing a really good root stimulant, then keep it shady and in 100% RH* until you see root tips forming from the plant. THEN you p may pot it up - "S/H or not S/H" - as you choose, and it will be fine.

* Once it's dry, I'd seal it in a zip-lock bag with a wet paper towel wadded up in the corner, so there is no contact with the plant. You want humidity, not wet.

[JoshuaR]

Thank you all. Cleaned it off and staked it.
AnonYMouse I was not asking if it would save the plant, just if it was healthy enough to plant it in s/h.

[mtorchid]

I wish you success - what a great story: from garbage can to orchid paradise!