Rescue Cattleya - rescued, or palliative care?

[mexicowpants]

Rescued this terribly desiccated Cattleya in soggy sphagnum, expecting the worst ... And what I found was pretty damn close. After removing the rotten roots, this is what's left:

2 just about viable (but horrendously overwatered and in danger of rotting) roots, and 8 horribly desiccated and shrivelled pbs and leaves.

I'm gonna leave it bare root for those roots to dry out for 48 hours or so, but then I'm not sure how to proceed. Was thinking of sticking it in a wet terracotta pot to promote new root growth, but then thought this might rot the existing ones... But does it have enough root structure to support itself if I pot it up? Doesn't look like it to me.
Help!

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[rbarata]

I'm eager to see what other, more experienced members, have to say.
But I think you got yourself a really nice project.

[Orchid Whisperer]

That is indeed in pretty sorry shape.

If it has a couple roots that you feel are alive, and a green "eye" capable of forming a new growth, there is some hope. Here is what I would try.

1. You will want to keep it bare root and water every day by soaking the roots/rhizome in water. Maybe a half our soak each time. Then let it drain.

2. An occasional soak in water with kelp extract added wouldn't hurt, maybe once or twice a month.

3. Between soaks, keep it in a barely moist terracotta pot. Loosely tent a plastic bag over the plant and pot. Keep in a shaded location, VERY indirect light (no windowsills or greenhouses).

The plant will either recover, slowly, or not. I have recovered worse, but have also lost plants that I thought were in better shape. Good luck with it.

BTW, do you have a hybrid or species ID for this plant?

[mexicowpants]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I'm eager to see what other, more experienced members, have to say.
But I think you got yourself a really nice project.

Thanks, rbarata - I have a soft spot for Cattleya, of all the varieties of orchid I find they're just about the easiest to grow and bloom, and among the most spectacular, too. I hate to see them mistreated! Still a little inexperienced with poorly and almost dying ones, though!

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[rbarata]

I have only one catt and I bought it just to see if I have the right conditions to grow more. So far so good.
I've found a store that sells mainly items for medium/large scale agriculture but they also sell orchids.
Inside I've found lots of mistreated catts and I felt the urge to buy some to try to recover them. If I can grow them I'll be there to buy some. But, like you, I know nothing on how to recover them.

[mexicowpants]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

That is indeed in pretty sorry shape.

If it has a couple roots that you feel are alive, and a green "eye" capable of forming a new growth, there is some hope. Here is what I would try.

1. You will want to keep it bare root and water every day by soaking the roots/rhizome in water. Maybe a half our soak each time. Then let it drain.

2. An occasional soak in water with kelp extract added wouldn't hurt, maybe once or twice a month.

3. Between soaks, keep it in a barely moist terracotta pot. Loosely tent a plastic bag over the plant and pot. Keep in a shaded location, VERY indirect light (no windowsills or greenhouses).

The plant will either recover, slowly, or not. I have recovered worse, but have also lost plants that I thought were in better shape. Good luck with it.

BTW, do you have a hybrid or species ID for this plant?

Thanks for the advice, orchidwhisperer, I'll give it a go, as it does have a hopeful looking "eye".

No ID on this one, but I saw it in bloom a while back when it was in a healthier state, and it's a beautiful yellow (yeah, I rescued it from a friend). I'll post a pic if I can find it.

Edit: got confused, it's not the yellow one I thought it was, it's a Pot. Hawaiian Charisma 'Hawaii'. So definitely worth attempting to save.

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[Orchid Whisperer]

I looked that one up. Yeah, I'd give it a try.