Frozen Cattleya percivaliana from Singapore (silla-glamour).

[Mini Mad]

Hi, I bought this orchid from a seller ebay in Singapore. It took 28 days to arrive. The box was open and it was sitting by the front door in 18" of snow.
First two photos are when it arrived. Last four photos were taken five days later. Leaves have deteriorated but the eyes have gotten larger one is yellow in color.
I am at 55-60 degrees with 70% humidity. I am waiting for the dead flask to arrive. 35 days and counting.
Trying to keep my sense of humor. Lori

[etex]

Good luck!! It looks like the airport gorilla had a good time with the box!Which carrier would leave a box like that in snow? Is the flask from the same vendor? Good idea about keeping the sense of humor!!

[Becca]

Yes, great sense of humor! Mind if I ask why you purchased a Cattleya percivaliana from Singapore when they are available here in the U.S.?

[Mini Mad]

Thanks for the replies.
I could not find this orchid in the US. I must not be looking in the right places? My plant and the flask with shipping and certificates a little under $300. I am hoping to work something out with the seller and just pay the $45 4day shipping. He has others that are jaw droping. Species.

eBay.com.my: Orchid Cattleya Species percivaliana Squid Ink Elegance (item 180434091944 end time Nov 25, 2009 06:49:13 MYT)

I just want to know if icky can be saved? Thanks, Lori

[gerneveyn]

I would cut off the roots and set it on top of some sphag that has been soaked in rooting hormone solution. Misting a few times a day with plain water or with rooting hormone may also help.

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[stefpix]

$ 300 seems like a lot! also why order in the late fall/winter? also I would have organized a pick up at the shipper if it is fedx or dhl or whatever... maybe it just got frozen on your porch.

maybe you will see if it can grow new leads soon.

welll here they have a bunch from 25 $ to 75 $ for one that was AOS awarded...

Cattleya percivaliana at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

Cattleya percivaliana 'Jewel' at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

[trdyl]

That is one of the nightmares that can happen when having plants shipped this time of year.

[stefpix]

Anyway
i do not think the rooting hormone may do a difference.
you have to see if it froze only on the outside but the individual cell did not freeze.

I left outside a wandering jew the first freezing night and then with the sun it thawed.
the stems all became mushy.

freeze makes the water expand and it may break the cells.
it looks fine -
anyway i would cut the dead roots and maybe keep it humid in a clear box with a clear lid and some sphagnum and coco coir.

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by Mini Mad

Thanks for the replies.
I could not find this orchid in the US. I must not be looking in the right places? My plant and the flask with shipping and certificates a little under $300. I am hoping to work something out with the seller and just pay the $45 4day shipping. He has others that are jaw droping. Species.

eBay.com.my: Orchid Cattleya Species percivaliana Squid Ink Elegance (item 180434091944 end time Nov 25, 2009 06:49:13 MYT)

I just want to know if icky can be saved? Thanks, Lori

I would be careful with this seller. A few weeks ago I saw a "Laelia lobata" for sale for a good sum of money. Well the bloom photo pictured was clearly a Cattleya maxima. I tried to nicely inform the seller about the discrepancy. Still no replies and the item is no longer listed.

[stefpix]

Also in the ad on ebay - which they still have

Orchid Cattleya Species percivaliana Squid Ink Elegance - eBay (item 180448369990 end time Dec-29-09 23:58:14 PST)

it does not really look in good shape. to me the roots appear small for the size.

this is 15 + 9.5 shipping and looks healthier to me

Orchid Plant C. percivaliana seedling - eBay (item 390083556742 end time Jan-15-10 13:52:10 PST)

i also would arrange some post office pick up,
usually priority packages sent out on mondays I receive them on wednesdays from within the US and the mail person leaves them in the hallway.

I think the flask may be more vulnerable to low temperatures as a small seedling probably freezes faster than an established plant.

But anyway I think the plant you received should be able to make it, maybe it will not bloom this year tho