Cattleyas....can I save them??

These were beautiful plants but I couldn't stop them going downhill in the initial stages when they had mealies and scale which I hadn't noticed because of slight health problems. I'm trying my best to revive them.

[@bettedaviseyes8563]

Thanks for sharing Ed.. your videos have helped me so much in my orchid journey-I’m an old dog learning new tricks 😊, including lava rock. You’re so very much appreciated! Hope you’re feeling well these days, Best wishes -Bett

[@EdsOrchids]

Hello BettI; and thank you for your comment..ost of my plants are now in lava rock and so far I'm very pleased that I have started using it. Also thank you very much for your very nice and welcoming comment. Feeling very well thank you but with the usual aches and pains you get at this age. Take good care of yourself and have a lovely Sunday, Ed.

[@user-zt6qh3mx7v]

Hi Ed, it's James from Kentucky in the US. I feel your pain as I was telling Rick L yesterday most of my cattleyas have little to no roots. Some of them are starting to put on new growths, but with few new roots. I'm giving them Cal-Mag and seaweed extract and added some crushed oyster shells to the bark mix. If they make it to next Spring, I am going to take them out of the bark mix and put them in lava rock. I think cattleyas are the trickiest orchids to grow, but their blooms are worth the headaches. Good luck with your cattleyas and take care, James

[@EdsOrchids]

Thank you James. Rick asked me to try one of the Cattleyas in a terracotta pot to enhance the humidity for the plant.....i will do this tomorrow and give the plant it's usual feeding ( once it shows some signs of roots ). I'm not sure that the oyster shell will do your cattleyas any good, they are usually used with alkaline loving plants such as phragmipediums. I would take one out of the bark mix as soon as possible and give the lava rock a go....and use more seaweed extract that you normally use. Hope they 'pick-up' soon for you thanks James and take care, Ed.

[@cynthiamgarner8096]

Thank you, Ed. This video was very informative on several levels. I’ve learned a lot.

[@EdsOrchids]

Good evening Cynthia and thank you for your comment.....glad the video helped you in some way.......take car, Ed.

[@comalco666]

If anyone can save them, that would be you.

[@EdsOrchids]

I'll try my very best to make your comment come true......thank you so much and take care, Ed.

[@elzooostland7459]

It's a slim chance and the odds are against it. But you've giving them atleast a chance. With good care they might survive. Can't wait for the update in several months. Stay positive 👍

[@EdsOrchids]

Will definitely keep you updated as to their condition Elzo....thank you for your comment and take care, Ed.

[@hillbillyorchids]

Hey Ed thats what Rick L told me to do is take the ones not doing so well in lava rock and watch them turn around so id say thats the best thing for them. Good luck! 😊

[@EdsOrchids]

I couldn't think of another way that would be as good as the lava rock. having no roots I will try some foliar food to help them on their way. Thank you Paula hope all is well with you and take care, Ed.

[@rickl.orchids]

......if there is anything positive to say its... that they dont look much worse than when you started, and with new growths popping out, I wouldnt give up yet........new roots always follow new growths......Im going to suggest you take your worst one and place it in lava in a clay pot......and then let it soak for 15 min. ...use your regular orchid fertilizer, add some seaweed/kelp, and a pinch of calcium nitrate....youve come this far.....give it a try......The clay creates a humid moist enviorment that seems to really make cattleyas grow.....I will pray for some warmer temps for you.....

[@EdsOrchids]

Thank you my friend I will give your suggestions a try.....and put one in a clay pot to see if it really does make a difference.....I'll chose the best one for the clay pot''''.......thanks again Rick andI'll keep you updated as to their progress. Ed.

[@uniqueleaveslover]

This video came on time, thanks 🙏

[@EdsOrchids]

I hope it helped you at some level....thank you for your very kind and nice comment.....take care, Ed.

[@zalehaburude7752]

Good morning...Eds Orchids. Feel sympathy towards your Cattleya Orchids. 😢. I hope your Cattleya Orchids will continue to live and flourish..💚💚💚 Say HELLO to all of your Orchids...And greetings from the North Borneo...Sir!

[@EdsOrchids]

Hello N. Borneo and Zaleha. Good to hear from you. The Cattleyas will either show a lot of progress or they will be ready for the trash can. Hope all is well with you and your orchids are doing better than mine.....thank you and take care, Ed.

[@crazykittensmiles]

Hi Ed! I've currently got 4 Cattleyas in ICU. All received within the past 2 weeks. I hope yours have some good progress!

[@EdsOrchids]

Good morning hope all is well with you. My cattleyas are showing signs of recovery at last, a couple are still not doing too well but the rest are showing new growths. I am of the opinion that giving them too much water will deter their growth.....they do like to be dry for a few days. I hope that your new plants will give you a lot of pleasure by producing many beautiful blooms. Thank you for your comment ....take care, Ed.

[@michaeln3125]

I admire your optimism and perseverance, Good Luck !! 🤞

[@EdsOrchids]

It's a motto of mine "never to give up" Michael.....until you can do no more!! Thanks Michael....take care, Ed.

[@dianepowell5804]

Looking good with the repots.i’am trying the lava rock also.I have lost almost all the Cattleya I bought.I find it very frustrating to figure out what I’am doing wrong.

[@EdsOrchids]

Good morning Diane. I also find Cattleyas very frustrating and they are a big attraction for scale and mealy bugs so need to be sprayed often to stop and get rid of them. Warmth and light is must for these plants along with a drying out period of a couple of days before commencing watering. I've tried everything I know about these plants and still have problems. I'm of the opinion that these are one of those plants that once they start growing they never like to be disturbed. Hope you can sort the problem with yours out Diane........best of luck and take care, Ed.

[@georgiabarth2066]

Yes, I also think if they can be saved, you will save them. Their best chance is the lava rock. Thanks for showing them.

[@EdsOrchids]

Good evening Georgia. I hope you are right about saving them.....I'll do my best to bring that about. I do agree with you that the lava rock will give the plants their best chance.....thanks again Georgia and take care, Ed.

[@nancyjohnston4661]

Good luck Ed. If anyone can save them you can. Thanks for the informative video.

[@EdsOrchids]

I wish I had as much faith in myself that i can do this Nancy.....I'll do my very best over the next few months to try and save them.....thank you and take care, Ed.

[@derberlinerjung]

👍👨‍🌾

[@EdsOrchids]

As usual thanks Jens, Ed.

[@loribadgero1035]

Isn’t that a new root growing from the pseudobulb under your thumb on the first one? Strange they’re growing downward like that. I have a couple plants with growths growing horizontally. One of them is a Cattleya, the other a Psychopsis. 🤷🏼‍♀️. I guess, sometimes, they just do what they do.

[@EdsOrchids]

I think the plants do these crazy things to keep us all guessing as what to do with them......Thanks Lori updates will kept to a minimum unless they suddenly show fantastic progress.......well I can alway dream can't I!!! Take care Lori ....have a lovely Sunday and take care, Ed.

[@royalrea2507]

You have to try Ed.

[@EdsOrchids]

I've been told I'm trying much to often Rea!!! Thanks and have a good weekend....take care, Ed.

[@christellough3401]

How high, in ppm measurement, do you make your cal-mag flush? Thank you. Love all of your videos.

[@EdsOrchids]

Good evening Christel. I generally flush with pure unadulterated RO water. Occasionally I will add a little Epsom Salts at a ppm of around 100ppm.....this binds to the unused feed and removes it. A good CalMag flushI don't use very often but when I do I will flush with ro water within 24 hours.......you cannot put feed on top of feed on a regular basis without fushing. The media you are using should be taken into account to make sure you give your plants a damp and dry cycle. Hope I've explained to your satisfaction.....thank you and take care, Ed

[@christellough3401]

Thank you. I soak my plants, which are all in lava rock or pepples, with Jack's a and b with some seaweed extract. Then I use a cal-mag flush within 2 days. But I noticed that on some of my orchids, the middle of the leaf is turning light yellow.

[@FernandaNascimentoOrchids]

I hope they make it dear Ed, best of luck ❤❤❤

[@EdsOrchids]

I do to Fernanda.....but we can only do so much before the plants each the trash can.....will keep you informed if there is any progress. .....Thank you Fernanda....have a good weekend and take care, Ed.