what is happening to my cattleya?

[estación seca]

When new Cattleya growths turn black and die it is usually because they didn't get enough water, or the plant isn't getting enough calcium.

In this plant I think it's a water problem because not enough water also causes pseudobulb wrinkling. It is a result either of the gardener not watering enough or a poor root system. Did it arrive bare-root or potted? If bare root, it may take a while to recover. A Cattleya with damaged roots may struggle to take in enough water until it forms new roots, which generally grow on new growths. But it may be quite a while after the growth begins before roots form.

You have it potted in large bark. This is a good choice for most Cattleyas. Depending on the temperatures you can water when the bark is approaching dry. The roots shown in the photos are still wet - how long ago did you water it?

[H.D]

thanks for the reply!
it arrived potted in coconut sludge
when i unpotted it, most of the roots were not even 5 cm long. all the roots inside the sludge were dead, mushy and black.
i removed only the rotten roots, because i heard dead roots also passively take up water, as the existing root system is not very good.

i watered it just today. i try to keep on top of the watering, as it is wrinkly.