Help with this Cattleya orchid

[rosie]

Given this Mildred Rives 'Orchidglade' orchid at an Orchid Meeting last November. Nothing much has happened to the orchid since then. Just this one leaf and a couple of green roots, the plant doesn't look thriving to me. Any suggestions. I believe this was an award winning orchid. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[Halloamey]

Hi Annette, the pseudobulbs need to remain in a moist but not wet medium for them to sprout new roots and a new growth from the dormant buds. My suggestion would be to soak some sphagnum moss in water, squeeze out the excess water until the moss feels damp, but you cannot squeeze out any more water. Now wrap this around the base of the pseudobulbs and then place them in a plastic pot. Gently mist every other day and put the entire assembly in a warm humid place with bright diffused light. The amount of moss you use should be just sufficient to wrap around the bulbs, say about half a fistful. Anymore and it will stay wetter and not allow it to dry up in a day or two. Catts are sturdy, this should do the trick.

[Dorsetman]

Amey is absolutely right , but it is a hard thing to do , to bring an orchid back from the brink....don't expect quick success !

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Annette, the pseudobulbs need to remain in a moist but not wet medium for them to sprout new roots and a new growth from the dormant buds. My suggestion would be to soak some sphagnum moss in water, squeeze out the excess water until the moss feels damp, but you cannot squeeze out any more water. Now wrap this around the base of the pseudobulbs and then place them in a plastic pot. Gently mist every other day and put the entire assembly in a warm humid place with bright diffused light. The amount of moss you use should be just sufficient to wrap around the bulbs, say about half a fistful. Anymore and it will stay wetter and not allow it to dry up in a day or two. Catts are sturdy, this should do the trick.

Amey is absolutely right , but it is a hard thing to do , to bring an orchid back from the brink....don't expect quick success !

So true.

Cheers,
BD

[rosie]

Thanks guys, do you think the spag and bag trick, would do the same? We have a lot of humidity here in Queensland, and temps. are around F 77 deg. at the moment.

[rwf]

Thanks Annette, for starting this thread...I also have a small catt. that just won't send out new roots...I thought I needed to keep it less damp...I'll put it in some spag moss tonight...I have new hope !!!

[espranch]

Annette, this semi-alba is worth the time & trouble to save! It's full name is: lc. Mildred Rives"Orchidglade" FCC/AOS. If I were trying to save it...I agree with Amey, but I would also make sure that it is securely in it's container and cannot move about. Just my opinion...Betty

[rosie]

Thanks Betty, I have anchored Mildred to a stake, so hopefully it will be stable. I will let you all know any developments. Thank you for kind help.