ID verification and salvage help
 

This plant was inherited by us from someone dear to us who has now passed so we really want to try and bring it back to life.

The plant was healthy when we received it but it has challenged me. I think one issue was the drainage in the pot became plugged so my guess is it got root rot and much of the plant died off. I just pulled it from the pot discarding roots with nothing attached and this is what is left. So the questions are:

1. The tag says "secret love" and from what I can glean it is a Cattleya? Is that correct?

2. Should most of these roots be cut off and if so to what extent?

3. I have read the roots should just be soaked in water for an hour and then let to dry, repeating daily until new roots are visible. Is this correct?

I greatly appreciate any input you have.

Lee

The only possible thing registered is Cattlianthe Secret Love.

I don't see active root rot, so I would simply repot it in med/large bark in a small pot. If you have a kelp supplement, soaking with it will help (per label direction). Let dry between waterings. It should be placed in a warm bright area.

Thankyou AnonYMouse. There are some mushy roots but I guess for the most part the ones remaining are ok. I have some DYNA-GRO Orchid-Pro 7-8-6. Is that suitable to use now or would that be too much until new growth/roots are active?

Hi Willy, I use Dynagro at 1/4 tsp per gallon on a weekly basis. That is not the same as a kelp fertilizer, which will help more to stimulate root growth. I would hold off on fertilizing for a week or so until the roots have time to heal over any small damage from repotting.



Do not cut roots. Even the ones that look like thin wires will help to hold the plant stable in the pot and can help to hydrate too. That plant has plenty of life left in it. Good luck!

For what it's worth, I ordered KelpMax, soaked all of my orchids (most or which were rescues) for 10 mins, and within four weeks every, single one of them was putting out new healthy roots. Could it have been that it was also the beginning of the growth season? Maybe, but I think it was the KelpMax.

I now soak them once a month in a KelpMax solution (1 TBS per gallon).

KelpMax would be the first thing I would do for that orchid.

Hmmmm, I just came up with a great idea!! I think I'll try using a kelp supplement. 😆 Thanks to you all for the feedback! I have a renewed sense of hope.

I have a couple of Cattleya types that I’m trying to bring back from root rot too. I think my plants are similar in size and condition to yours. I potted mine up in 4 inch clay pots in medium grade bark after an overnight soak in KelpMax. It’s only been a couple of weeks or so for mine, but they seem to at least be holding steady.

Do not feed it at this point. What you need is a good root growth stimulant like KelpMax.

Mix up a tablespoon/gallon and soak the plant for several hours before potting it up, then water it in with the remaining solution.

Find a way to keep the RH around it maximized, so it won't desiccate further before roots can grow and start "carrying the load". Inverting a clear plastic bag over the plant and pot (don't seal it) is often sufficient. Just don't let it see ANY direct sun.

With root promotion being the fundamental first step here there is one other question I should ask. Is a home with East/West exposure in the PNW even a viable home for this plant?

Progress
 

Well it's been just over 3 months and this cattleya is fighting back. Kelp supplement seems to be working wonders as there are now about 7 new roots and 1 new leaf well underway. Is fertilizer now recommended and if so, how often?