Severely dehydrated cattleya orchids

[poetiscariot]

A friend of mine got a couple Cattleya type orchids last summer and hasn't watered them for. . . I have no idea how long. I'm going to guess at least a couple months. They're green, and the leaves are, well, they still look like orchid leaves, and the p-bulbs are extremely thin and withered but glossy. I'm going to take them over and see if I can bring them back to health. Anything I can do to boost them? I was thinking of soaking them in the sink for a bit instead of running water through the pots, maybe. Also thinking about watering them more often than I normally would. Any advice would be welcomed!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Soaking is a good idea to get them started, but do let them completely dry out between watering so that the roots do not begin to rot. Cattleya roots need to dry-out completely before they are watered again. If the plant still looks healthy, it will turn around and start putting out new roots and growth. Good luck!!

Cheers,
BD

[poetiscariot]

They're putting out green-tipped new roots even now! This is why I love Cattleyas, they're such tough little babies. Sounds like I'll just keep an eye on them and maybe stick in some bamboo skewers to check moisture down in the bark. . . and see how it goes.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I bet they will be fine, Victoria. Good luck to you!

Cheers,
BD