smell question from beginner cattelya owner

[silken]

OK, I didn't see your new pics out of the pot till after I made the last comment. Are those brown roots firm? They look like they could be rotten but I can't tell just from looking. Also the growth on the far left looks to be fairly new although approaching maturity. Are there new short roots coming from it? Can't tell for sure. And is there media in the centre of the rootball? I am thinking since you have it un-potted now, you might just as well clean it up and re-pot it. It is best to soak the bark (if that is what you are using) overnight. Medium bark is good. Mine love clear pots with good holes. Once it is all cleaned up, you could soak the roots in some seaweed water before potting up.

---------- Post added at 06:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Matorchid

Cool thank you, the net pot I put on, like to do that to watch it it came some crummy paper cup. Starting to wonder if this might be The Catt that lost its tag, thought that wasn't a Catt a few weeks ago when everyone told me it was zygo, lol couldn't be

It's definitely a Cattleya

[Matorchid]

Will do silken, was going to repot soon just didn't want to much stress on it coming into a new environment plus gives me idea of what's going on under the bonnet as you might say. Was going to repot at tail end of repotting season for me which is now for most of other plants. Thank you for your input

[silken]

Originally Posted by Matorchid

Will do silken, was going to repot soon just didn't want to much stress on it coming into a new environment plus gives me idea of what's going on under the bonnet as you might say. Was going to repot at tail end of repotting season for me which is now for most of other plants. Thank you for your input

Good luck. When in doubt I prefer to have a look and clean up the roots. My Catts respond really well to seaweed, so if you don't have some, it might be worthwhile. Usually found in a hydroponics store here.

[Orchid Whisperer]

If 90 F was a problem for Catts, mine would have been dead decades ago.

At 105 F you should possibly increase the shade, but the ice is not necessary & probably not helpful anyway.

I suspect the odor could be due to a pesticide, fertilizer, etc. That was previously applied to the plant.

[Matorchid]

Cool is that Thrive the same(someone told me that this was seaweed or seaweed emulsion) cause I have some lying around for the house plants or are you referring to straight seaweed. Hey that's where I've been getting a lot of my stuff, the hydro store. You know I get stuff for some of my buddy's cause they don't want to be seen walking in to one(they got a bad wrap). Save a few pennies, was getting all my stuff from repotme. Great company little pricey then waiting. Wish the hydro stores would sell more orchid stuff. Lol thank you again for your knowledge and info, catch up with ya later.

[silken]

SuperThrive is similar in that it has some growth hormones. It has always been a secret recipe so who knows. But I have used both and find that kelp (seaweed) either dried or liquid form works wonders for root development on my orchids.

[isurus79]

Temps in the 100's is great for Catts. In fact, I see the fastest and most vigorous growth when the temps are hot (90's and low 100's), but you just have to make sure the plant gets good air movement and is well shaded during the heat of the day. Direct morning sun is always good for growth. You plant looks a bit desiccated, so getting some media around the roots is probably a good idea.

[Matorchid]

Wanted to sorry to Isurus, Orchid whisperer,, and others for not acknowledging that you were part of the conversation. Was flipping back-and-forth into the forums and trying to get other things done. 5 things at once doesn't bode well for productivity. Thank you for your input