Are DARK shoots a problem?

[Helen]

You might see yet another one on the 1st large photo (not the cropped one) on the right side of the newest root on the cane extending to the right. It is under the beige coloured papery stuff trying to emerge but it too is dark. (It's actually the back side of the other one - same shoot)

[WhiteRabbit]

I could be wrong but those look dead to me. Do they feel dried up ? How long have the been there, and how long have they looked like this? Have they grown at all?

[Helen]

Did you notice my post at 11:27pm? It might help to explain things. I really would like to know if it's a viral thing or a cultural thing, etc. They are the newest shoots from this year, 4 of them. I have not felt to see if they are dried up...one of them has a very black section underneath it...very strange. I will check to see if they are dried up and will post again tomorrow.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Helen

Did you notice my post at 11:27pm? It might help to explain things. I really would like to know if it's a viral thing or a cultural thing, etc. They are the newest shoots from this year, 4 of them. I have not felt to see if they are dried up...one of them has a very black section underneath it...very strange. I will check to see if they are dried up and will post again tomorrow.

yes - you said they are 'new this year' ? Does that mean they have been there for months? If they are more than a month old, I really think they are dead.
I have had it happen where it looks like new growth is initiating only to have it fizzle out and die early on, but usually there is other new growth, so I don't know what the issue could be - sorry
Of course I am far from an expert, and maybe someone with more experience than myself will chime in

[kasper6767]

I think Rabbit is right on this one they are dead. And I also believe it is not viral but it is a cultural problem.

But hopefully someone else will reply here soon.

[dounoharm]

it looks like the new growth 'eyes' have died and blackened....sorry to say....but i think thats the end of those growths, maybe it will try to set dormant eyes to grow and continue growing....i dont know what your culture parameters are, but you should check every aspect of your culture and see if you can isolate a problem.....

[Helen]

Thanks to everyone for your opinions. I'm glad to hear it's not viral. The leaves actually look very good with good colour. I have not lost an OLD leaf in the 3 years I've owned the plant. I'm beginning to believe that it was in too hot of a south window last summer (but it did put out a new shoot, but the leaves later dropped off of that new shoot and this is the shoot where the new eyes are black). I really hope another eye pops up somewhere else so the plant can be saved. This plant has never bloomed as I bought it when it had 18 months to go to bloom size. I sure screwed that one up!
Helen

[quiltergal]

When was the last time you repotted Helen? I have found that many of my Catts respond well to a repot. If it's putting out new roots now would be the perfect time. Could be it's getting too dry between waterings. I agree these new growths are dead. Keep the faith though it'll send a new growth out from somewhere. I rescued some that looked much worse and they finally starting growing again.

[Helen]

Thanks for the encouraging words Terri. I actually repotted Jan. 18th. I always try to keep up good maintenance. Do you think it's worth repotting again so soon?

[quiltergal]

No probably not. If I were to guess I'd say if it was repotted in January that the medium is drying out faster because it's relatively new. Try bumping up the water a bit. You don't want it to be bone dry before watering again. I water my Catts once a week, more often in the summer when it's hot. I'm using CHC which retains more moisture than bark. I'm a little farther south than you. Temps and RH in winter are probably somewhat similar.