Cycnodes with rotten roots
 

I just received a Cycnodes 'jumbo puff' in the mail and roots are absolutely toast. The back bulb also has serious damage, but it seems to be dry and stable.

What should I do now to help this orchid recover?

Personally I would treat any rot, then plant it in moss and leave the pot sitting in an inch of water. I have found that mine like that.

Does it have leaves? If so, are they young or mature. If leafless, treat it as a dormant plant. If in leaf and still maturing, give it very bright light, heavy fert and a good deal of water to try and push more roots. If the growth is mature and the leaves are dying, I would restrict watering and no fert and treat it like a plant going into dormancy.

A pic would be helpful.

Yep, pics and plant growth phase info would be very helpful!

http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/...psgvsydq8p.jpg

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http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/...psvlpl7md9.jpg

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Here are some pics of the orchid in question.

The current pseudobulb seems to still be maturing. It is somewhat small from pictures I have seen. It is definitely not shedding leaves at this time.

The older pbulb does that when a new one is developing...don't worry about it. And, don't remove it! The plant is using the stored energy in that pbulb to continue to develop the newest growth.

The newer growth does look like it's still maturing. Did you repot? Is that how you know the roots are bad? If so, no big deal at this point but, for future reference, never repot a Ctsm at this stage of growth. It's best to repot them during their dormancy or, at the latest, just as new growth begins in the late winter/spring. You want to do it before those new roots get going so you don't damage them.

I would continue to water...until the leaves show signs of going dormant...and then begin reducing your waterings. The roots may look bad but they are likely still absorbing at least some moisture. You can also continue to fertilize until you see those leaves starting to turn. And, give it as much light as you can. When the leaves start to show signs of dormancy, then reduce water and stop the fert.

I've received Ctsm that looked much worse and they went on to do well the next growing season. It's big enough at this point that even if the root loss causes an early dormancy...it should still be fine next cycle.

I did not repot. I saw a bad root through a drainage hole and tapped it out to see what was going on. I tried not to disturb the root ball.

Ok! Thanks for the advice.

Chances are many of the roots in the pot are fine. I wouldn't worry about. Follow the signals of the plant and you'll be good.