Question
hello,
I went to Asia for two months. While I was traveling I left my orchids with my
mother in law, she with good intention re potted my cattleya. As a result I
found my plant soaking wet in regular potting soil. I repoted it today in wood
chips. Most of the roots were dead if not all of the roots. The rest of the plant
seems healthy, the bulbs on the bottom of the leafs are shriveled. Is there
anything I can do to save my orchid? Will roots grow again if treated kindly,
letting the roots dry out, and mist a couple times a day? Thank you for your
help. I look forward to hearing back from you jason


Answer
Hello Jason,

Your cattleya has gone through quite a bit but I believe there is hope to save it.  

After unpotting it, remove all soft mushy roots and clean off any dead leafs.  Depending upon how many pseudobulbs (growths) and live roots there are, you may be able to put the entire plant in a large ziploc bag, but if it is too big for that you can put it into a large plastic bag such as those made for kitchen trash containers.  Place some moist but not wet moss or potting media in the bag then put the catt. in and seal the bag.  Place it in a warm shady location.  Check it once or twice a month to see if there are any new roots growing or even new pseudobulbs and to remoisten the media.  Once there are roots over 2 inches long, you can take it out and put it in a pot.  

Some times the best of intentions go bad, I'm sure your mother-in-law thought she was doing you a favor.  

Hope this helps save it.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.