smell question from beginner cattelya owner

[Matorchid]

hello all,
I believe I just picked up a mini cattleya from Trader Joes. I have no idea why ig got it, just the fact i didnt have one in my collection, or maybe, spending spree, what ever. Took it home, quarintined it for about 4 days or so. All seemed good. It never really took off like the others, but that wasnt my question. My question would be, Are any orchids that will have terrible smells? i noticed a weird smell. Bout 4 days after bringing it home. I fjnally traced that smell down, it was this cattleya. I grabbed if put outside, heard they loved tons of it. when I brought it in I noticed it looked very waxy, oily like, and the smell was like 3 times worse. I then took itbto sink give it something sm to drink as it was 105 yesterday. When givingnit somewater I noticed a part of one leaf had some sun damage and wanted to remove it, so snip, and the smell was even worse than previous few minutes. After snipping turned aroundabout 2min to get cinnamon from cupboard and right where I made the snip, the whole area had turnedblack literally. it blew my mind. I picked this plant up looked at a min or so, I then tried to repeat what just and it turned black in front my eyes within a commercial time frame. i picked up my led flaslight, put it behind some of the leaves, i do this to see how.translucent the leaves are, kinda gives me an idea of amount of light taken in by plant. Could not see through the buggers at all, which hasnt happened to any my others at all. the smell was so bad, would say kinda neem oilly 100x worse. I drenchedvthe thing for like 15min yesterday, constant running water through roots and all. Seemed to help asmall bit, but today again really unpleasant, so that brings me hear to ask questions.

So here we go;
1. are there any orchids that put off terrible smells?
2. Can orchidcsurvive being dumped in to vat of neem and still live?
3. How does one live with this kinda stench from this thing?

LAST ONE JUST FOR FUN BUTBIT TRULLY SMELLS

Thank you Cattleya Alliance for all input, I have oncids and phals was trying out new kinds. Thank you again

[silken]

I have a number of Cattleyas and none of them smell bad, or really have any smell. However, I have had the cut end of a leaf or pseudo bulb turn black very quickly when it is cut. Have you checked the roots and potting media? Is the smell coming from there?
The plant looks OK but I would be looking at what's in the pot. I see moss and possibly not much drainage which could equal root rot.

[Matorchid]

whats so strange seems to hardly have any media

[Matorchid]

I dont know how to fix sideway pic thing sorry

[silken]

Well it certainly has enough aeration and drainage! Was it sitting in another ceramic pot? If it was and its a tight fit, it may lose all that open access to air tho. Since the pot is a net pot, can you see if the roots are mostly alive? If they turn green when watered, they are alive. Is the smell originating from the roots? Are there new growths with some new roots? If so, I would definitely remove this from the pot and re-pot in some bark or something that allows for good aeration and fast drying roots-that's what Catts like. If not, I would re-pot if the roots look unhealthy anyways.

EDIT to add: Do you have a name for it? Some of the leaves look a bit leathery like it hasn't received enough moisture. Any information you can give about the plant helps to figure out what is going on. Also what kind of smell? Is it rotten smelling or like a chemical? Maybe it was treated with something.

[Matorchid]

Smell is chemical, really have not seen any new growth any where on plant, as far as the pot goes when outside he is in a pot like this because of falling over on the side, the roots don't seem that bad I have seen worse on my own plants. Moisture a little leathery, 105 yesterday, 101 today very dry, I try misting about every hours or so, smell is strongest at root level but comes from all over


Tony 'Matomo' Briceno

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[Matorchid]

Changed to iPhone tablet was dying
See se what brown roots but not bad, I have only had for about 2 weeks so nothing was applied by myself


Tony 'Matomo' Briceno

Remember, in the world someone is having a worse day than you!!!!!

[silken]

The roots I can see look fine and if it is a chemical smell, I am thinking it was treated with something. Make sure you don't expose yourself to it more than necessary since you don't know what it is. I use Malathion that very truly stinks bad and can linger. This plant does seem to have outgrown its pot but the best time to re pot is when there is a new growth just putting out new roots. This is especially true for bifoliate as they can sulk if potted at the wrong time. Just keep it well watered but allow it to dry well in between. Then when there are some new growths with new roots give it a new pot and media. It looks fine otherwise. Don't give it too much bright sun until it is acclimated.

[Dante1709]

I'm no expert on Cattleyas, but isn't the max temperature for most Cattleyas 90F? I know they like a lot of sunlight, but I heard don't like the heat that comes with it, since most of the popular hybridized species are highlanders. If you do put it out in hot weather, just make sure to water it very well. I usually put a handful of ice cubes a few inches around my orchid pots (but not touching the pots) on hot days.

Is it possible that there is media in between all those roots? Maybe algae, fungi or mildew is growing and making it smell weird. I'd definitely look around the plant and check for any odd residue or substances.

[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