Shriveled Leathery leaves on cattleyas

[Jkelee]

Hello All, I am a newbie Orchid Lover! I have a huge problem with some Catts. Shriveled Leathery Leaves Will everyone, anyone plz give me their Words of Wisdom on this problem? I've read and read, but can't find the solution And I don't want to lose all of my babies!! Thanks!

[Oscarman]

Sounds like they are not able to get the water they need.....most likely they have very few live roots. No roots to absorb moisture = shriveled leaves and pseudobulbs.

Have you had the plants long? How many are exhibiting these symptoms? How big are the plants?

It would be a good idea to check on the root system by gently removing it from the pot. Live roots are white-ish and firm. Dead roots are brown and mushy.

Please check it out and let us know.

[Jkelee]

Hello, I've had them for only about 6-7 months or so, came very healthy from a huge dist in HI. I did something to shrivel/leather them. They are all from 7-12" tall, and I have about 5 doing it now. I was worried I was OVER watering them, not Under. What does Over watering look like, If this is Under? I have them in clear plastic pots so that I can view whats going on. I didn't notice anything bad. But I'm new, so I wouldn't even know... Plz help me save my Catts! Thanks to everyone for any advise!!

[Lagoon]

Jkelee,

Overwatering and underwater can look very much the same. Have you noticed any foul oder comming from you 'chids?
Please tell us more about your growing conditions -- Lighting, media mix, fertilizers etc ...
I agree for some reason water is not being made available to bulbs and leaves, whether it be underwater or possible root rot.

A photo would be most helpful

[slipperfreak]

Yeah i would say you could have potentially overwatered them, and by doing so you may have rotted the roots, which would explain why the leaves have shriveled. Show us some pics!

[gixrj18]

I would take them out of the pot for a while, and just mist them without medium. You'll have to mist them once or twice a day, but you won't have to worry about over-watering while you're nursing back to health. Or just mount it on some wood, I've got a lot of bare-root Catts on wood, and they love it. But at least this way, you can see what is going on, until you get the hang of how much water it likes.

[Jkelee]

Thanks everyone for you help here!!

I have them in the normal media's; Coconut husk (alone), Charcoal, Aerolite, Fir bark mixes & Leca Stones (alone). I use a variety to see who's the happiest with the media of choice. Every website, grower and Enthusiast has given me all opinions of what to use. So I thought I'd try All.

I have NO foul Odor coming from any of the sick. My lighting is High I guess. Under a covered / open air Patio that connects to screened pool. NO Direct sunlight. Filtered as well from the screened pool. Patio is facing East, but the sun is very filtered again because of many short & Tall palm trees surrounding the pool. After that, the sun is over the house.

As for me Over Watering, doubtful, as I try my hardest not too, holding back at times, because I read that if your doubtful - Don't! I also have a one of those electronic water reader things that you stick in the pots and it kicks back the reading of how wet they are, or dry. I use it, and I don't break the rules that the machine gives for Orchids.

As for the roots; when I repotted everything a coulple of months ago. I noticed there wasn't alot of Hard white/green roots, but lots of brown ugly ones.

What can/should I do if ALL of these sick Orchids have NOTHING but Brown roots, no Hard White ones??

Are they a total LOSS?? Or can I save my babies??

As for my Ferts; I use Nutri-cote, that I again bought from a Seller who swore by it!! I have about a (dime size) 7-10 pieces if you know Nutri-cote and the tiny pieces they are, on top of each pot.

Oh, and I noticed tonight, it's hit on my my Fav Phals now!

Well I hope I answered everyones questions. I did my best anyways. And I took some tonight of the sickly.

Thanks to everyone for your help to a new Orchid Lover!!

[slipperfreak]

I'm sorry to tell you that if ALL of the roots are brown, soft and hollow, not firm and white, your plants don't have any live roots. Now I'm not an expert with cattleyas but you definately have a major root problem. Your roots are dying somehow, and if you're sure you haven't been overwatering than you must have underwatered. You can actually tell by the condition of the roots; if they are wet and mushy you have overwatered, but if they are dry you have underwatered. Regardless they are dead if they are soft and you can remove the outer part, exposing the inner wiry core. As for rescuing them, try removing all the daed roots and planting the pseudobulbs in damp sphagnum moss, and misting the leaves often. eventually, the plant will hopefully grow new roots.

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[gixrj18]

Take them out, and cut away all the dead roots, I've had Catts with no roots start new growth, I've got a couple right now with no roots, and new keikis. They are very resiliant!

[Charles]

As long as they are still alive, they will grow new roots. Be patient, but take the recommended action.