what causes the base of the phulb to becoming limp?

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by Bud

Bacteria that loves heat and humidity ....need to boost air circulation and that brown listerine and hydrogen peroxide comes in handy at the same time sterilize the roots and clean it. Spray the whole plant and make sure to soak the media.

Will that by chance bring the plant back? Can you remind me about the listerine and peroxide?

[Bud]

since the humidity in your environment is enough to sustain the plant, refrain from watering regularly....make sure to let it dry for half a day before watering....moist and warm can be bacteria and fungi haven....the telltale signs are the algae and mold that forms on the media mix....

spray the plant....with hydrogen peroxide you get from the local pharmacy and alternate it with brown listerine(the original not the blue one)

it will not set it back since it is still in growing mode....you can unpot it and clean the roots....Catasetinae have robust roots that is not like the fine roots of Dendrobium that will sulk and not flower if disturbed....

[kindrag23]

No mold. But i will spray w yellow listerine for sure. And change into fresh media.

---------- Post added at 01:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:02 PM ----------

All i have is fine mix by Black gold i can add lava rock to that. Would that be okay otherwise i will jave to special order something else.

Should i go ahead and spray my others down as a preventative.

The old school listerine is not diluted correct? Sprayed directly on the plant and media

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

All i have is fine mix by Black Gold...

I think I know what's wrong…

I believe it's your potting media.

I really don't like this brand. The wood chips look pretty old and a bit deteriorated upon opening the bag. Imo, the only thing this is good for are for mulch or top dressing for your garden/yard. I think this is what's causing your problems.

I recommend changing to a better quality brand with a higher quality wood.

[Bud]

try Euplusia's sawdust mix....60% sawdust, 40% clay shards and a spoonful of dolomite rock powder....I have used it last spring when new growths needed repotting....it is really working well for my Catasetinae plants

[kindrag23]

Okay i will look into it. I dont have sawdust readily available and will still need to special order some.

[HighSeas]

I got my sawdust off of Ebay. Comes in bags there that are fairly inexpensive. I changed mine over too. They are doing great!

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

I got my sawdust off of Ebay. Comes in bags there that are fairly inexpensive. I changed mine over too. They are doing great!

Wonderful. Uh what kind is best? Because i am clueless.

It now sits in front of an open window in my bathroom. It gets the humidity and the sun w the air flow. So i am so praying it will bounce back. How long do i need to do the alternates of Hydrogen Peroxide and listerine?

---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:33 PM ----------

Is western red cedar okay? I know certain ones have tannin's that are bad for orchids

[HighSeas]

I think mine is Maple dust. I tried to avoid anything like Pine or treated woods.
I had a bulb that did the same thing as yours did. I just watched it and it ultimately gave me two Keikis. Once they had good roots, I cut the whole bulb off with a sterile scalpel and laid it down into the sawdust mixture. They are growing quite happily now and the mother plant is doing fine as well. I did treat the plant with thiomyl since it is a systemic. There have been no signs of pathology since. It got two doses, one week apart.

---------- Post added at 03:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:48 PM ----------

Originally Posted by kindrag23

Wonderful. Uh what kind is best? Because i am clueless.

It now sits in front of an open window in my bathroom. It gets the humidity and the sun w the air flow. So i am so praying it will bounce back. How long do i need to do the alternates of Hydrogen Peroxide and listerine?

---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:33 PM ----------

Is western red cedar okay? I know certain ones have tannin's that are bad for orchids

I think Cedar would be great. Actually...I think Tommy has some in Cedar.

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

I think mine is Maple dust. I tried to avoid anything like Pine or treated woods.
I had a bulb that did the same thing as yours did. I just watched it and it ultimately gave me two Keikis. Once they had good roots, I cut the whole bulb off with a sterile scalpel and laid it down into the sawdust mixture. They are growing quite happily now and the mother plant is doing fine as well. I did treat the plant with thiomyl since it is a systemic. There have been no signs of pathology since. It got two doses, one week apart.

what is Thiomyl? Is that something I could get at like Home depot? I REALLY dont want to lose this plant.

---------- Post added at 02:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 PM ----------

---------- Post added at 03:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:48 PM ----------

[/COLOR]

I think Cedar would be great. Actually...I think Tommy has some in Cedar.[/QUOTE]

Oh great I can get that for like 10.00! Hurray! Now clay chips/shards? Is that like some of my busted pots I have laying around to let the spiders live in?