Please help with my Cattleya, don't know why leaf is drooping at pseudobulb

[SJF]

Hi,
I noticed this morning that one leaf on my Cattleya is drooping from where it joins the pseudobulb. Does anyone know what could be causing this? It has some nice new roots starting. There are some brown spots on the back of that leaf.

[smweaver]

How long have you had the plant? Does the plant feel secure (i.e. is it established) in its pot? If the newest growth (which looks like its in the process of maturing) is fine, I wouldn't worry about the drooping leaf on an older growth too much. Cattleyas, unlike some other orchids (cymbidiums, for example), aren't known for the beauty of their leaves and growths, which can often twist in bizarre ways and grow at odd angles. As long as the leaf feels turgid and there isn't any noticeable soft, discolored, watery looking areas on the leaf or pseudobulb, it's probably not a big deal. You could always tie the leaf up so that it's supported in a more upright position by one of the other growths if its floppy quality bothers you.

[isurus79]

That Cattleya is really dehydrated and to me it looks like that is most of the problem.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by smweaver

How long have you had the plant? Does the plant feel secure (i.e. is it established) in its pot? If the newest growth (which looks like its in the process of maturing) is fine, I wouldn't worry about the drooping leaf on an older growth too much. Cattleyas, unlike some other orchids (cymbidiums, for example), aren't known for the beauty of their leaves and growths, which can often twist in bizarre ways and grow at odd angles. As long as the leaf feels turgid and there isn't any noticeable soft, discolored, watery looking areas on the leaf or pseudobulb, it's probably not a big deal. You could always tie the leaf up so that it's supported in a more upright position by one of the other growths if its floppy quality bothers you.

Hi,
Sorry I missed the response. I have had it for a couple of years. Bagged orchid from Lowes. I was in when a shipment arrived and there were some nice, healthy choices. I don't see any watery areas. Sprayed it with Physan 20, just in case. Took it to the sink and drenched the media and will wait to water again until it dries out. It seems to be less wobbly at the leaf/pseudobulb juncture now. Altough, that coulf be purely wishful thinking or my imagination. Thank you for the advice.

---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 AM ----------

Originally Posted by isurus79

That Cattleya is really dehydrated and to me it looks like that is most of the problem.

Thank you, I tried to remedy that situation. Hopefully it works

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SJF

Thank you, I tried to remedy that situation. Hopefully it works

Dehydration can come from underwatering (easy to fix!) and overwatering so the roots rot out (more difficult to fix). Just make sure you do some kind of root diagnosis to be sure.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Dehydration can come from underwatering (easy to fix!) and overwatering so the roots rot out (more difficult to fix). Just make sure you do some kind of root diagnosis to be sure.

With me underwatering, I always try to make sure that I don't overwater so that I don't rot them. I don't think I was saturating the media enough at watering. Now I will take the plants to the sink. The roots look good on the plant

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SJF

With me underwatering, I always try to make sure that I don't overwater so that I don't rot them. I don't think I was saturating the media enough at watering. Now I will take the plants to the sink. The roots look good on the plant

Then its an easy fix! A plant that is dehydrated like that could do well with doing a one time bath where it sits in the water for a few hours.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Then its an easy fix! A plant that is dehydrated like that could do well with doing a one time bath where it sits in the water for a few hours.

thank you

[Oscarman]

There is definitely a problem with the water uptake of your plant. The roots need to be inspected. I doubt there are many live ones.

The condition of the newest growth shows that. There is poor leaf and pseudobulb formation and elongation and the sheath which normally covers the elongated and fully formed pseudobulb is darkening and drying before the leaf is fully extended.

With good growing conditions each new growth should be large and plump. Shrivelling of older pseudobulbs is normal as the main energy of the plant is pushed forward to the new growing points.

If it had been recently repotted, I would place it in a plastic bag with a small amount of moist moss and close the bag loosely, so there is some fresh air getting in but there is higher humidity. The new roots forming on the newest growth will help get your plant re-established....slowly.

If if has not been repotted for some time:
Remove from pot, trim dead brown soft roots with sterilized pruners. Repot carefully to avoid damaging those new root tips into a pot just large enough to accommodate the root mass and one or two new growth. Bag it as suggested above.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by Oscarman

There is definitely a problem with the water uptake of your plant. The roots need to be inspected. I doubt there are many live ones.

The condition of the newest growth shows that. There is poor leaf and pseudobulb formation and elongation and the sheath which normally covers the elongated and fully formed pseudobulb is darkening and drying before the leaf is fully extended.

With good growing conditions each new growth should be large and plump. Shrivelling of older pseudobulbs is normal as the main energy of the plant is pushed forward to the new growing points.

If it had been recently repotted, I would place it in a plastic bag with a small amount of moist moss and close the bag loosely, so there is some fresh air getting in but there is higher humidity. The new roots forming on the newest growth will help get your plant re-established....slowly.

If if has not been repotted for some time:
Remove from pot, trim dead brown soft roots with sterilized pruners. Repot carefully to avoid damaging those new root tips into a pot just large enough to accommodate the root mass and one or two new growth. Bag it as suggested above.

I took it out of the pot and did a little trimming. I put it in a 4 inch aircone pot. I put a bag over the top of most of it. Some of the leaves are so long I couldn't get them in the gallon bag. What kind of bags do you use when you bag plants? What should a healthy lead on a cat look like? This way I know what to look for.

Thanks again