Project 2016: Cattleya walkeriana

[stonedragonfarms]

I split mine in two; I mounted one and potted the other. They're both throwing new roots like crazy; the potted one is also pushing new bulbs


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[wintergirl]

Ok, I looked more closely at my potted plant. I almost have been avoiding it since the new growth broke off. I have a 2nd new growth that seems to have sprung up overnight so I won't mount it now. Here is a picture of the new growth on both my plants:

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[Leafmite]

Very nice! The new growths look healthy!

[gngrhill]

Well, guys, it's here. I don't know quite what to do with it. It only has 2 so-so roots and a couple that may or may not be viable. I was very disappointed as the photo in the ad showed about 6 decent roots. I'm thinking maybe I should mount it so I can control the moisture it gets better. It's pretty dehydrated, but I don't want it to get wet enough to rot the two roots that are left. Any opinions ?? Thanks

[estación seca]

Ouch. It's a vigorous grower when it's just sort of happy, so don't lose faith.

I would mount it with no moss, or very little moss if you can't bring yourself to do that. Whatever, don't cover the roots with moss. Let them and the rhizome be exposed to light.

I soak everything I repot or mount in KelpMax for 15-30 minutes first. If you don't have that, but have another rooting product, I would use that.

Start in bright shade and the highest humidity you can give. When it starts rooting you can move it to more light.

[Leafmite]

I understand your disappointment but it should recover. One thing I have learned with Cattleyas is that when re-potting out of season (after the growth of roots on the newest pseudobulb), it is best to leave the roots fully exposed to the air. Mounting would work well or, if you would rather pot it, just staking it on top of the medium would work fine, too.

I have found my C. walkeriana/walkeriana hybrids to be quite tough. After you have it set up, I am guessing it will start another new growth soon, especially if you grow it under lights. Good luck!

[Orchid Whisperer]

I have recovered a couple $7.00 seedling Cattleyas in similar or worse shape this year, so don't lose hope.

My advice is somewhat similar to estacion seca and Leafmite. You can go ahead and mount as he described, or you can just place the plant bare root in an empty terracotta pot in the shade, or do as I did for the summer and hang the plant bare root in the shade somewhere. Soak the roots in a seaweed extract solution (or other rooting product) first, then place it wherever you want it to recover (in the shade, on a mount, or empty pot, or just bare root). Spray roots with water at least daily. I would repeat the seaweed extract/rooting product applications at whatever frequency is suggested on the product label. By the time cold weather arrives, or before, it should be sending out new roots.

I would not be real thrilled with the Ebay seller of this plant. It can't hurt to let them know how you feel about getting a plant in this condition. You have the skills to bring it back though.

[gngrhill]

Thanks all for your quick responses. I do intend to let the seller know I'm not happy, but I don't expect to get much satisfaction. I have added their name to my "Ebay Sh** List" so I won't order from them again.
I do have kelp max and will soak before I do anything with it. I know it's only recommended to use it once a month, so I will do that. The empty pot or mounting ideas sound workable and kind of where I was going when I said I didn't want to keep it too damp to rot off the only good roots. I think I'll keep it bare root for a bit and see how that goes, and if it starts to perk up I may mount it.

[wintergirl]

The newest growth looks like it has an "eye" for a start of another growth. So hoping for the best. Surprised someone would sell that on Ebay. I have been very lucky with the plants I got on Ebay for the most part.

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

The newest growth looks like it has an "eye" for a start of another growth. So hoping for the best. Surprised someone would sell that on Ebay. I have been very lucky with the plants I got on Ebay for the most part.

I have also been mostly satisfied with the ones I have gotten on Ebay. I even checked my purchase records and found I had gotten one other plant from this same seller and it is still alive. It was a kingianum cross.

---------- Post added at 11:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

When I'm rooting plants I use KelpMax weekly. I think Ray suggested that someplace here on Orchid Board.

It says on the bottle to not use more than every two weeks, but I am not above using it once a week for a while if it will help.