C. violacea with no roots

[Milda]

Hi!
Last October our Orchid Society had an import from Peru. I bought 2 Cattleyas and a couple of others. C.luteola passed away in a short time. It was very tiny and didn't get any roots. Now I am afraid that the same will happen to my C. violecea. I just read in Orchid Digest vol 68 (special issue about Catt's) an artical of William P. Rogerson that violacea grow new roots at the same time as they are blooming or afterwards. Well, I am not sure that my violacea has enough power to send out a new lead It is in spahgnummoss.
Do any of you have some advices??
Milda

[cb977]

Hi Milda...I, personally, don't like to keep my 'chids in moss. I feel it leaves too much to chance as far as them being too wet and rotting the roots. I would remove it from the moss, give them a little dip in some rooting hormone and repot it in a different medium.
I'm sure the other folks here will come up with othere suggestions for you too. Please keep us up-to-date on your progress.
Nice to have you here

[Oscarman]

I have not had experience with C. violacea. If I was in the same situation, I would place it on moss in an enclosure with elevated humidity, keep the moss slightly moist and place it in moderate light. I have a C. gigas (warscewiczii) that came bare root also. Three pseudobulbs and no roots. It took forever (8 months!) to push out a few 1" roots, once I did the moss treatment. Now it is just sitting there once again doing nothing!

You may know some of this info already
http://www.orchidworks.com/orchids/c...a/dale033c.htm

Keep us posted how you make out. Good luck with it.

[Paphman910]

Did you get the plants from Aranda Orchids?

Paphman910

[Milda]

Hi! Thanks for the response. I might try the spahg and bag trix for this orchid.

About rooting hormone - don't know if it is easy to get anyting like that here in Norway. We are just a few orchidnuts in this little country! Do you have any name for this rooting hormone?

Thanks for the link, Oscarman! Very helpful!!

I got my plants from a vendor in Peru, here is the website: http://www.peru-flora.com/

Milda

[justatypn]

Milda, I have done this process both ways previously suggested and the one that worked for me was to place in a bark type medium, use a hormone (ie. root-tone, take-root by Shultz), keep moist and TLC. I am unfamilar with Norway and what type of stores you's have but suggestively if you's have a local store with a garden center you should be able to get a root stimulator, either in powder form or liquid. Its a pretty generic product noted for a variety of plants. I as well did the spag thing and merely lost 5 psuedo cuttings. But I am new to the orchid affair but it might work for you. Why not try the spag process first since that is at arms reach for you. Talking to the sibling always seems to help ...

[cb977]

Milda, you can also use the sphag & bag process using one of those clear flip-top containers that they now use for lettuce and such. It creates a mini-greenhouse. I've done both, and have success both times! I didn't even use hormones.

[justatypn]

Great idea Susanne, perfect for my cym back bulbs.

[cb977]

I think it was originally posted by LI Jane. I tried it with some babies from a compot, and it's working! Roots are growing daily...