Cattleya pseudobulbs shriveled up - Orchid Board

lichanura · #1 04-24-2019, 12:50 PM

Hello:
My cattleya psuedobulbs are badly shriveled and wrinkled up like they are dry and need water. However, I water them on a regular basis once or twice a week and closely watch the moisture content of the large bark medium. Misted at least once a day and are in a green house. The swamp cooler helps a lot with the humidity level. Any ideas on what might be going on? Thank you very much.

swcheng15 · #2 04-24-2019, 12:53 PM

Did you check the roots? They may be unhealthy and unable to take up the necessary water. Just guessing.

Roberta · #3 04-24-2019, 12:53 PM

I would suspect that roots are bad - so that they can't take up water. When was the last time that you repotted the plant? How long have you had it? A photo would help.

lichanura · #4 04-24-2019, 01:59 PM

Thank you for the responses. I purchased this cattleya from Gublers in November. So, about 6 months ago. I have not repotted it. The roots do turn green when wet.

Roberta · #5 04-24-2019, 02:12 PM

The plant is ready for repotting about a year ago... I suspect that the roots in the pot aren't in great shape, and the ones outside the pot (which look quite good) just can't get enough water, especially in your dry climate, to keep the plant hydrated. That large bark is a good size, but you do need to get a pot that can accommodate those roots. I think that you will want to leave all the pseudobulbs, when you repot this time, to give the plant the best possible strength - there aren't that many. The next time, one or two could be removed if they are totally shriveled, but for this round, it needs the reserves. Soak those external roots well when you repot, so that they are a little more flexible. You can invert a small pot in the middle of the new pot so that the larger pot still has air space in the middle.

lichanura · #6 04-24-2019, 02:33 PM

Thank you very much. I will repot it right now. It will give me a chance to see the hidden roots.

Roberta · #7 04-24-2019, 02:39 PM

The shriveled pseudobulbs won't re-plump when you repot, but the new growth should be OK. And since it is spring, if there isn't new growth right now, it should start pretty quickly - and that also means new roots.