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Catt tales... or how I am trying to revive this one

17 years ago

Thanks again for all the advice and instructions on how to help my catt recover. It was QUITE the adventure today, but I hope to see some success in the not distant future.

I went in armed with:

A pair of sharp scissors

An exacto knife

A container of Clorox wipes (for disinfecting the tools of destruction between each cut)

Cinnamon

When I removed the top inch of pellets, the whole plant came out in a clump. As was mentioned earlier - it seems almost all the roots had dessicated and were now soggy and seemed to be heading towards rot. Many of them were plump, but they were an icky brown color and even the slightest tug slid them off the threadlike center and they were pulpy yucky messes. As I trimmed (wiping the blade between each cut) I realized the entire plant was completely "gone" towards one side and a gently pull separated it into two sections.

I started with the smaller piece and trimmed all the squishy roots, dusting the cut parts with cinnamon. This piece ended up with several viable roots and, though shriveled, 5 pbulbs and green leaves. First I removed as much of the papery sheaths covering the pblubs, then I soaked it in a weak fert solution then dusted with cinnamon and put it in a pot with some bark and it already looks happier. Well, okay, I am happier so I am trying to project positive energy on it LOL!

{{gwi:161865}}

The other piece was much more problamatic. Almost all the roots were gone, so after trimming there really wasn't a lot left. I soaked it for 15 minutes in a weak fert solution then dusted it and set it back on the surface of the pellets with the few roots placed carefully between a few. Should I drape a few pieces of sphagnum over it? Any further suggestions?

{{gwi:161866}}

I can keep misting them both with the weak solution, but I am open to any more suggestions on trying to get them going again.

I also wanteed to thank everyone who provided info and advice on my original post.

Alexa

Comments (6)

  • 17 years ago

    Alexa--did you soak the bark before using? To my old failing eyes it looks dry. Also, position the oldest p-bulb close to the edge of pot to allow space for new growth to progress toward the other edge. (First pic) Good luck!

  • 17 years ago

    Alberta is correct Alexa on the catt in bark. Jam the oldest pbulb/rhizome on the edge of the pot so the new growth has room to grow for a couple of years.

    After repotting a catt, I don't water for a week to let the wounds heal, then resume a regular schedule.

    You do not have to sterilize your cutting tools between each cut :>) Sterlize after you are finished with the plant.

    You still need to stabilize the plant in the pot. You don't want the plant wobbling when you move it. If you don't have a rhizome clip, use a couple of stakes (bamboo skewers work great) put one on each side of a pbulb and then use twist ties to tie the stakes together or the pbulb to the stake. Once the new roots grow, you can remove the stakes.

    And the most important thing to remember, these are tough plants that want to survive regardless of what we do to them.

    Brooke

  • 17 years ago

    Hi, cali. What you did and the suggestions from Brooke and Alberta sound right on the money to me.

    This time of year, the weather is for you.

    Good luck

  • 17 years ago

    I would suggest flame sterilizing your tools. A portable propabe torch is a good tool: flame the cutting instrument for a few seconds til it gets red hot. Caustic chemicals like bleach, physan, trisodium phosphate can corrode metal surfaces.
    Cut off all dead brown roots. If you see white roots appearing already, go ahead and repot. But if there are no roots, I just leave the plant bare root under my greenhouse bench. And keep it dry but mist it ocassionally. Soon, the plant will put out new roots on it's own. Sometimes the sphag and bag deal can cause rot.

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks for all the suggestions and encouragement!

    I removed the one in bark, soaked the bark and reset it wt the edge of the pot as you recommended.

    As far as sterilizing after each cut - that is an old habit I got into with my roses. If you are pruning a rose that may have blackspot or other "contageous" problem, you should always sterilize between cuts to avoid cross-contamination. I guess I have carried that theory with me.

    Now I guess it is just wait and see.

    Thanks again for all the great help!

    Alexa

  • 17 years ago

    You might consider giving the plants for a few waterings a couple of drops of Superthrive to a gallon of water or a dose of KLN to encourage roots. Also, molasses encourages roots. A couple of doses of liquid seaweed (microbiotic) would also be in order. Right now the plant can't handle fertilizer as it has no roots. You can also spray the underside of the leaves with the seaweed.

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