rehydrating cattleyas

[yvonni]

hi there just wanted some help with this one . I would like to know what you guys do to rehydrate your cattleyas ? I know they don't like as much water as the others, do you think a humidity tray would work for catts ?

[cakedaddy]

What do you mean by rehydrating? Do you have a plant in trouble?
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[yvonni]

I don't think it's in trouble but the pseudobulbs look to me like they could be a bit fluffier (for lack of a better word ) Mine look a bit shriveled . the plant seems to be ok I was just wondering in case . don't want to wait till there is a real problem to then start .

[Halloamey]

Mist regularly, once or twice a day but make sure it dries up atleat a few hours before night. But shrivelling pseudobulbs can be an indication of root rot, might be good to check the roots. Upload a pic, and we can help you better.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Mist regularly, once or twice a day but make sure it dries up atleat a few hours before night. But shrivelling pseudobulbs can be an indication of root rot, might be good to check the roots. Upload a pic, and we can help you better.

I agree with Amey. Check the roots ASAP.

And not that this is always the case, but once a p-bulb is shriveled (drained of nutrients and water), it usually doesn't come back. The new growth will look correct though if roots are not damaged and correct water, air-movement, fertilize, and drainage is provided.

cheers,
BD

[yvonni]

ok I'll start from the beginning . I bought this plant at the end of jan . the seller repotted right there for me . then I noticed that every time I watered it small bugs came out .so after it fell over a few times I decided to repot . it had a piece of coconut fibre that the few existing roots were planted in . thought that was where the bugs lived so tossed that away then I planted it in some coarse bark mix in a clay pot . didn't know if it was getting enough air since the pot only had one hole so created a pot for it and took it out of the bark and placed it in hydroton (since I keep this one outside ) and did a kinda semi hydro thing with it. as for the roots it is now growing new roots and a new growth. I was just wondering if there was something I could do to help the pbs but you say they most likely won't return to the way they were so I don't know . I can't seem to get the pics loaded will keep trying .thank you guys for your help

[yvonni]

http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...2-orchids.html

I don't know if this will work but since I can't get the pics loaded this is where I had it on the forum before to get an id

[yvonni]

once again gotta try something different

[yvonni]

the last photo is how it looks now . will take another pic today and try to post it

[tucker85]

You should judge the hydration of a cattleya by the lead psuedobulb. By that I mean the newest psuedobulb. Psuedobulbs in the rear, often called back-bulbs, can be wrinkled and will usually never rehydrate. If the lead psuedobulb is plump, the plant is hydrated. The fact that your plant is growing roots and a new growth is a good sign. You need to water your cattleya outdoors or in a sink so you can really soak the medium well, wait 15 minutes or more, and then soak it really well a second time. Then let it dry out completely (bone dry) before watering again. I would not recommend misting the leaves because that often leads to fungus problems but I like to mist the new roots at the base of the new growth. I find that little bit of extra moisture helps the new roots and new growth to remain plump and healthy. Good luck.