Cattleya with one p-bulb

[Jeff214]

Hi,

I received a C. lueddemanniana with one pseudobulb that was detached from the rest... I'm not sure if it will survive, but I've potted it bark for the moment. It does have a root, but I don't see any signs of new growth. I'm not quite sure when C. lueddemanniana sends out new growth/roots.

I wonder if you'd suggest keeping it in bark or trying out another media (water culture?).

[SouthPark]

If you can see dormant 'eyes' or little stubs at the base of the bulb ... then that would be promising. But if there are no eyes .... then I think it usually means no chance of new growth. You could just see what happens if you try SEMI water culture. That's if you have time and patience. Semi water culture involves dunking root in water or weak nutrient water for a day. Then remove from water for a day or until dry. Then keep repeating. Maybe the root will grow nicely. However.... no dormant eyes could mean a one way ticket to just however long the plant can hang on. Has this bulb got any rhizome left on it at all?

[Jeff214]

the plant has two eyes, but it's hardened. I'm not sure what the correct terminology is for this but many of my Cattleyas form eyes, do not grow, and eventually become hard and dormant. I've never seen them grow again... maybe they will.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You could try to grow it, but I doubt it will do well in the long run.

Try it out and see, but don't put your marbles in this bag.

[Roberta]

How much time since you potted it? If anything less than 6 months, you need to just wait. Give it a chance. Orchids don't do anything fast. At best a single-pseudobulb division will take a very long time to establish, so I'd suggest just watching it for 6 months or even a year to see what it does (if anything).

[Jeff214]

I received it recently and I understand that it will take some time before new growth, if any, will emerge.

I was just curious what type of care might be best. I may try the method SouthPark suggested.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

I was just curious what type of care might be best. I may try the method SouthPark suggested.

Hi Jeff. The idea behind the dunking, then drying is to allow the plant to absorb some water - and allow the roots to be wet for a while --- hopefully get them into some active growth stage. Drying for a day or so may stop algae build-up and/or bacteria etc buildup. Time and effort would obviously be needed if this repeated cycled process is to be maintained.

The water to be used should ideally be quite clean. Maybe tap water should be quite ok. If the roots grow nicely - then you can always plant the orchid back into the usual growing media - bark etc. All the best with this bulb, regardless of which method you try! Good luck.

[Jeff214]

Gotcha, thanks for the suggestion. I have done the dunking/drying method for a C. x Epiarthron hybrid that I stupidly divided when the new growth emerged. I realized later that the roots emerged once the new growth finished growing... I did the dunking method for 3 months and it's finally rooting and doing better.

Even with two backup pseudobulbs it struggled... So, we'll see how this one goes. I'll just consider this more or less of an experiment with low success.

[ReneeFLL]

I have also had these before. I usually put them into a clay pot without any potting medium at all. They are in a shaded area and get watered every couple of days. The clay pot helps retain moisture, but doesn't have the roots soaking in water. Since there is no medium there is less chance of root rot. My growing area is outside in South Florida.