Help with a tiny Cattleya

[stdabbsga]

Hi everyone, I have just joined your forum now that I am officially addicted to orchids Two years ago I was given 2 phalaenopsis orchids, and they are putting out their first flower spikes! I am so excited and can't wait to see them flower.

I went to Lowe's yesterday and saw this pitiful little Cattleya on a bottom shelf in the dark marked down. I persuaded them to give it to me for 2.00, brought it home and when I unpackaged it, all the leaves (which were brown) fell off. All that is left is a tiny little root ball that was completely dehydrated. I don't think the poor thing was every watered. I soaked the roots, soaked the small bark pieces, put both in a clear plastic container and set it in a East facing window to see if there is any way I can revive it. It might already be gone, but does anyone have any suggestions that might bring it back to life?

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board! Congratulations on the flowering Phals!

What kind of orchid did you buy? Does it have green, live pseudobulbs?

[Roberta]

Welcome!
Can you provide a photo? While supposedly one needs 5 posts to be able to upload photos, I have see them successfully posted by people with less... from the Quick Reply dialog box, clidk "Go Advanced", scroll down and click on "Manage Attachments". That will pup up another window... browse to you photo and select it. When you are through selecting photos, click on Upload. Then when you post your message, the photos will be there.

If we can see what you are working with, it will be possible to advise. It sounds like chances are pretty slim, but it's a learning opportunity at any rate, and $2 isn't a big investment.

[stdabbsga]

Thanks! The sticker that came with it labeled it as "blc. Prada Green Delux "Carib Plants'. The picture says "Green and Art Shades Cattleya Orchid".
I'm not sure what pseudobulbs are, but all I see are white roots. The stem where the leaves fell off is dark and dry.

[Roberta]

It is possible that there is a live "eye" - growth point - at the base of the pseudobulb... if the roots are viable, life is possible. For 2 bucks, with a try!

[stdabbsga]

Here are a couple of pics. It looks awful, makes me sad

[SouthPark]

Maybe needs life support.

One option is to pop the orchid into an airy-media (bark or rocks), and good drainage pot. Then pop that into a container with a see-through lid that allows sunlight into it. And have a few openings for air to move around a bit inside.

I put a drainage grate on the floor of the 'vessel', and put the pot on top of that. The vessel can keep the humidity up to support the orchid. Maybe can even spray the floor of the vessel with a bit of water.

Put everything in a medium bright and warm spot with some natural air movement .... and no direct sunlight. Then hopefully, with enough time ------ get some growing activity.

saxon mini greenhouse link

[Roberta]

It looks like you have at least one decent root, and I think I see green on one of those pseudobulbs... where there is green there is hope. Go for it! I think if it were mine, I'd wrap the roots loosely in sphagnum moss, put it back in that class container, and mist the sphag maybe once a day (aim for "lightly damp" If you see signs of growth then it will need to go into a small pot with drainage.

Just remember that orchids don't do anything fast. So it may take many week to do anything, but if it isn't declining that alone would be a sign of progress.

[stdabbsga]

Thanks, all! I really appreciate the advice. One of the roots does have a tiny bit of green on it. It came with a little bit of bark, so I put the bark in the plastic see through container, and set the root ball on top of the bark so that the roots would get sun and humidity from the wet bark but not be immersed in water. I will do all I can to nurse it back to health and post some pictures if I succeed.

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by stdabbsga

Here are a couple of pics. It looks awful, makes me sad

Welcome to OB, stdabbsga. I can totally relate to what you are trying to do ... and to your addiction! I got my first orchid 3 years ago and am hooked; I now have 72. (Don't know how that happened!!)

I get tremendous joy from buying a half dead orchid for a few dollars and bringing it back to health. (Seeing a new root on one of my rescue orchids is ALMOST as pleasing as seeing a bloom!)

Attached is pic of guidance that I keep posted in my grow area. It is from First Ray's. I have followed this guidance several times and have always had success. The problem is you have to buy KelpMax which is expensive to buy for rescue orchids. (Just throwing this out there for you. It has worked well for me.)

BTW - You have found the right place for GREAT orchid guidance. These folks know their stuff.

Best of luck to you and your orchids! ROBB