L. anceps Guerrero form brown p.bulbs

[BKFSRS]

I wasn't sure if to post this under the Cattleya or diseases forum. I had several brown leaf sections over the summer and now two entire p.bulbs have turned brown and soggy. The one on the far right along with another one behind it. The rest of the plant seemed to be doing well. I've already cut off the brown p.bulbs. Should I toss the plant? I have several other L. anceps and am afraid of this spreading. I'm hooked on the L. anceps now for some reason, so hate to lose it. Thanks

[bethmarie]

Originally Posted by BKFSRS

I wasn't sure if to post this under the Cattleya or diseases forum. I had several brown leaf sections over the summer and now two entire p.bulbs have turned brown and soggy. The one on the far right along with another one behind it. The rest of the plant seemed to be doing well. I've already cut off the brown p.bulbs. Should I toss the plant? I have several other L. anceps and am afraid of this spreading. I'm hooked on the L. anceps now for some reason, so hate to lose it. Thanks

In my experience, if the rot hasn't fully penetrated the rhizome, you can cut off all rotting parts, apply cinnamon to the cut and repot, leaving the plant to dry for a week or so. It's critical to remove all rot, and keep the plant dry for a period to stop the rot from spreading.

I just lost a lovely new cattleya in which rot had fully invaded the rhizome. All the remaining pbulbs had a small area at the base where they were beginning to get mushy. Nothing left to save on that one, sadly.

[isurus79]

Looks salvageable to me. My guess is that you are watering this one too often during its dormant period.

[katrina]

Ditto isurus and beth. Cut bad portion off...less water and as much light as you can give it w/out risking burn.

[BKFSRS]

Thanks for the feedback. It makes sense because I have been watering more since Chicago winters are so dry and I have them in a southern exposure window. Will back off on watering.

[estación seca]

It gets an 8-month winter with no rain. There is some dew, but not every night. Late winter, before the summer rains arrive, is extremely arid. Like other succulents from these regions it doesn't REQUIRE a full 8-month dry winter. But it does not need watering when it's fully dormant.

Of course, it's not as cold as Chicago. Winter days may be in the range 50F-85F / 10-30C and winter nights just below freezing to the low 40s F / 4-7C. It grows in evergreen oaks so it is not usually exposed to full sun, but sometimes does grow exposed.

My guess is it begins rooting when the ambient humidity rises in early summer, just before the rains arrive.

[BKFSRS]

Thank you. Wow, I really have been overwatering! Very interesting to know how they grow in the wild.

[Becky15349]

I would definitely try to save this one - you have to remove all the infected tissue and hopefully you'll have a section left with some roots still. I am not a big believer in the cinnamon because it just washes away when you water. I hate systemic rot - usually caused by overwatering. Good luck!