cattelya repot while in bud.
 

:scratchhead: Hello fellow orchid enthusiasts!
This is my first post here at orchid board and I'm really excited. I've been reading posts for a long time but haven't had a problem I couldn't solve by google-ing until now.
Two days ago I bought a mystery cattelya at my local garden shop. There's this awesome little corner in the greenhouse where all the unwanted orchids go. i.e. orchids whose leaves are trimmed or troubled, finished flowering and were never sold etc... In the past I have found incredible bargains! So when I saw a cattleya with 7 pseudo bulbs and in bud (three buds) I was ecstatic!
After I took it home upon further investigation I found several serious problems. The old aerial roots were growing moss. Not just under sphagum moss but literally growing moss on them and hard as a rock. Also, the bark potting material was seriously degraded and starting to grow what looks like snow mold.
I made an emergency decision to save the plant and risk sacrificing my buds. I tried to re-pot gently but the material was really old and degraded, it made my work space smell like decomposing earth. The chunks of bark were integrated into the root system so deeply it was impossible to get it all out without cutting into the new root growth somewhat. I repotted into a medium/fine bark with pearlite and charcol. A gorgeous mix which has worked well with other orchids of mine.
I trimmed off the old dead roots and was hopeful because there seemed to be a lot of healthy new growths that weren't very long. I checked the plant today, the day after repotting, and the green new growth tips had withered and turned brown. Is the plant putting it's energy into healing? Or do you think this is the beginning of the end?
I'm just bummed cause I was so hopeful for this cattleya. It was my special suprise bloom orchid. I've grown so tired of buying orchids knowing what they will look like. I also like cans of food with no label so go figure. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Also, my growing conditions are a soulth facing window next to a sliding glass door, which the screen is left opend during the day to facilitate air movement. However, I do not think the plants get much humidity at all. It hasn't been a problem that I've noticed yet. But then again I haven't been growing for very long.
Thanks, -Big Red [/FONT][/FONT]

Welcome to the Orchid Board. It sounds like you did a good job of repotting your Catt. The rapid browning might be a result of too much light exposure too soon after repotting. After tampering with healthy roots or growth I usually dust the cut surfaces with a little ground charcoal or cinnamon powder to help the surface seal and prevent infection and then wait a few days before watering. A dappled southern exposure works well for my Catts but after surgery I give them a week or 2 of recovery time in lower lit conditions and then gradually acclimate them to their optimum light exposure and watering routine. You can never be sure of a newly purchased plants previous growing environment so it's a good idea to be cautious. The best of luck to you and your rescued baby.

Hi BR! Welcome to OB. You'll find this is an amazing resource. I've rarely come up empty handed when asking a question here.

I have a B. nodosa that is very touchy that way. The new growth will die if it gets bumped, wet, whatever. That said it is always quick to kick out another growth if one fails to mature. I also sort of remember my C. Summer Spot 'Carmela' doing that when I repotted it shortly after buying. It didn't take it long to send out a new growth again. Seems like the newer the growth is the more sensitive it is. :goodluck: Keep us posted. :)

Do you think I should cut off the buds? I read that it might use energy to bloom that it should be using to recover and grow new roots.

I'd leave them. If the root system wasn't seriously compromised (ie: entirely rotted away), the plant may still have enough energy to recover and bloom those buds out. If it doesn't the plant will most likely shed them to save itself. You should know in a week or so. If it doesn't shed them it may slow the development of the buds way down. So if they don't open right away don't be surprised. HTH ;)

Thanks so much! I was really hoping someone would tell me not to cut them off. The plant seems really healthy with good roots. I'm so excited to see what the flowers will be like.

Hello Big Red, Welcome to the OB! I'm sure you'll find all the help you can get here at the board.

I don't know much about catts, so I apologize I can't be as helpful :blushing: I'm glad to see Terri and Junebug have you covered, I'm sure others will follow. :)

It's been a while but I'm happy to my cattelya is surviving nicley. It flowered recently, two beautiful light green flowers with deep purple lips. The flowers lasted only about a week and a half. The roots don't look so hot. I don't think it's been getting enough light so I'm putting it outside. Hopefully it will like that. Thanks everyone for the advice!