Cattleya and Pseudobulb Question
 

I bought a marked down cattelya at Lowe's. Its leaves were shriveled (wrinkled) and the pseudobulbs were in the same condition. (I know the leaves will never improve.)

There's a new spike (for lack of a better word) growing, buy the original parts are still wrinkled. I water it well and am using MSU fertilizer, but the pseudobulbs never seem to improve.

Isn't the pseudobulb an important source of food for the entire plant? Will the wrinkles ever improve?

If it's severily wrinkled the older pseudobulbs might not recover but the new growths to come should be fat and plump. Have you checked the roots on this plant. I suspect no or little roots might be the cause of the wrinkling. If this is the case please repot and keep in a shadier somewhat drier area until new roots start to emerge from the new growth.

How much? Was it a Better-Gro brand? well you will get new growth...
bought a Lc Angel Love that had no roots and i rescued in water...

I've had some orchid p-bulbs plump back up and others that never did. I really think it just depends on what it is! I had a Laelia with shriveled p-bulbs and they plumped back up over time, haven't had much success with cattleya p-bulbs doing this.

The roots appear to be fine...I repotted it recently in bark into a clear plastic pot so I could see root progress better. Yes, it's a Better-Gro, but can't read the label well to say exactly what type cattleya it is.

Thanks for the replies...I guess "patience" is the word.

water culture could help - search some threads here or on other forums

I had good results with a water rescue method. Our club does repotting for a botanical garden and we can take home small divisions. I had two single pseudobulb divisions with no roots. I kept the rhizomes under one inch of water all summer. They formed a new lead and started new roots about two months in. Water should not become stagnant.
Good Luck!