is this cattleya a goner?

[sii]

So it's been a couple weeks since I repotted this cattleya from its moss 'grave". I've had problems with putting it in the right pot & then in keeping the plant upright. Today it tipped over and I decided to look at the roots. They don't look well. They are all wirey. I don't think I feel a solid root. Is there anything I could do at this point (keep it in water) or is it gone?

[Eyebabe]

You would be surprised how resilient cattleyas can be.
Repot using a rhysome clip and also one or two 18 inch steaks to tie the most upright pseudobulb to and it will not keep falling out of the pot.
Keep on the dry side for your watering schedule and give it about 8 weeks and I bet you will see either some new roots or a new pseudobulb growing from your lead.

[sii]

Eyebabe should I not water it, or should I just spray it with water?

BTW what is a rhisome clip? Is it just like a phal clip?

[RobS]

If the bulbs and leaves are not to desiccated you should be fine. Watering is not relevant untill there are new roots. Try to keep the plant in a place where the humidity is no to low but still the plant shouldn't stay wet or moist.

[silken]

rhizome clips are little strong wire clips that attach to the edge of the pot and go across the rhizome to hold it firmly in place. Some are just hoops that straddle the rhizome. If you don't have any, I have used a not too wide masking tape and taped over the rhizome in several places and around the pot to make it real secure. You just cut the tape when it has rooted firmly and it doesn't touch the plant except a bit on the rhizome so it doesn't harm it in any way. I got one huge bare root catt recently but it was so top heavy nothing would hold it in place except the tape. a month later, I am starting to see a few small new roots!

You could mist it and keep it in a high humidity area until it roots. Also using some rooting hormone such as KLN or Superthrive to soak the roots and rhizome for an hour first before potting it might help.

[sii]

Does anyone know if I can find the rooting hormone at Home Depot or Loews?

[Brotherly Monkey]

I've dealt with far worse examples and ended up with great plants.

PS in adition to what eyebabe stated, I would move it to pretty low-light, as well

[tucker85]

Rhizome clips and ring stakes are my most important tools during spring repotting. Here are examples of both for clay pots. They have another type for plastic pots. For rhizome clips buy the size for the pots you use most often. I find that I use the one’s for 5” pots most often. For ring stakes buy the shortest ones. I believe they’re 6”. When used in conjunction with a rhizome clip the short ones work best. You need to man-handle these wire products. Bend them into the shape that works best for you. Rhizome clips should push down very hard on the rhizome. Much harder than you think it should be. For ring stakes put the ring stake on the pot first. Put some medium in and then lower the plant into the pot through the ring. Good luck.

[silken]

You can buy rooting hormone in a powdered form at places like Walmart, and likely the other box stores. But I have never seen K-L-N or Superthrive at those places in Canada. Paramount Orchids in Calgary would likely ship you a bottle of K-L-N.

[Brotherly Monkey]

I never use rooting hormones on my orchids, and basic care seems to serve fine under such circumstances