My order from Orchids by Hausemann and question about Cattleya

[swcheng15]

I placed an order on Tuesday night PST (CA) and the order arrived today (Friday). The two phals were packed well. My Iwanagaara was also packed the same, but the plant was outside the pot when I unwrapped it. It was likely jostled in transit.

I'm pleased with the two phals I got...looks like both have a good root system from what I can see through the pots. They are both in wet moss, so I'll likely have to repot tonight or tomorrow, and I'll know more about the root ball then.

The Iwanagaara I'm unsure about. Looks like there are some dead roots, as well some newer green roots which are short (hence why the plant likely didn't stay in the pot). The bulb that the plumpest has slightly wrinkled leaves. The other bulbs look slightly wrinkled themselves.

Should I repot the Iwanagaara as well after cutting the dead roots? This is my first Cattelya. I believe the pot is a 2" pot, for reference. The media is in a bark mix.

Thanks!

[Roberta]

I would suggest not cutting the dead roots - they will help to stabilize the plant when you pot it up in bark. It is really important that the plant not wobble, because that would cause damage to new root tips. When you pot it, press the bark firmly around the plant. I don't see new roots, but this time of year they should be along shortly - it should quickly establish itself in the the medium. You can use fairly small bark on this baby plant. It's a really vigorous hybrid, so it'll probably be ready for larger bark in a larger pot in a year or so. But it will definitely benefit from repotting. Catts like to dry out between waterings, and that medium looks pretty soggy.

[swcheng15]

Thanks, Roberta. Good to know about it being a vigorous hybrid. I will repot it into the same sized pot then with newer bark. Should I worry about the slightly wrinkled bulb or the leaves?

[Roberta]

The somewhat dehydrated growth probably was attached to some of those bad roots. It probably won't plump up, but hopefully won't decline further. With new medium, new growth and roots will be stimulated, and those will be fine.

[swcheng15]

Thank you!