worth the trouble?

[nabakov5]

a friend just dumped off these two cattleyas on my doorstep. He said that they are at least fifteen years old, and that he "inherited" them after his grandmother passed away. As you can see, they have not recieved much TLC. Take a look, do you think they are salvagable? I suppose I should look at the roots. I do see some aerial roots that have taken off recently, but I can't make out any new growth other than that. What would you do?
-kitty

[Molly Taco]

Take them out of the pots clean them up, ie trim off the dead roots and put them back in a fresh bark mix and give them a good dose of weak fertilizer. I bet that they will show growth in a month.
Cin

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Give them a little attention this year and next year they will reward you.

Cheers,
BD

[Kerry]

Just imagine, if they do show for you next year - how brilliant will that be!

[Becky15349]

I completely agree- you have to at least try! I grew up in a family where we *always* took people's rejected plants and tried to revive them, so I think its a fun challenge. Imagine the feeling of accomplishment when it does bloom again...and how your friend will feel when he/she sees it! haha

[murgdan]

Hey...something is green...so you have a chance.

A few weeks ago a girl at work found out I grew orchids and told me "oh, I have this one that I don't know what else to do with. I've been watering it for the last YEAR and everything but it's not blooming, what should I do?"
I reviewed basic orchid culture with her and finally said...just bring it in and let me have a look. Ok. The next day there it was on a desk...

...She brought me a pot of sphagnum moss....with a stake in it.

(hate being the bearer of bad news)

...anyways--that plant was long since turned to dust, while it appears you have a fighting chance if you enjoy that kind of thing! Go for it!

[mtequine]

LOL

Oh my...now that IS kind of funny....

I have a little Epc. hybrid that had bad root rot and barely any green...finally decided it's last chance was s/h or die, and it's throwing new roots and leaves now! So, go for it!

Hey...something is green...so you have a chance.

A few weeks ago a girl at work found out I grew orchids and told me "oh, I have this one that I don't know what else to do with. I've been watering it for the last YEAR and everything but it's not blooming, what should I do?"
I reviewed basic orchid culture with her and finally said...just bring it in and let me have a look. Ok. The next day there it was on a desk...

...She brought me a pot of sphagnum moss....with a stake in it.

(hate being the bearer of bad news)

...anyways--that plant was long since turned to dust, while it appears you have a fighting chance if you enjoy that kind of thing! Go for it!

[Elena]

I'm quickly learning that Catts are pretty tough, if it has new roots then I'd definitely give it a chance. I would be curious to see the flowers on such an old plant.