Cattleya orchids suffer from some of the same problems as phalaenopsis orchids but the symptoms are usually a little different. Cattleyas also have some problems that don't bother phalaenopsis so much.
Cattleya's do get bacterial leaf rot. However, it will look like a soft black spot which will spread very fast. You have to be fast to stop it in Cattleyas. You will need to remove all of the diseased leaves or parts of leaves quickly to halt the progress of the disease.
First you need to cut back the diseased area until only healthy green leaf is left. You will need to remove all of the diseased leaves or parts of leaves quickly to halt the progress of the disease. Sprinkle the edge of the leaves where they're cut with some cinnamon which is a natural bacteriacide.
Cattleya's also get bacterial root rot. Like the phalaenopsis, you need to unpot the plant and check the roots. Cut away all the dark, mushy roots and sprinkle some cinnamon on the cuts. Make sure you get everything that looks unhealthy. Then repot the orchid and hope for the best.
A problem that seems more common in Cattleyas is called Bud Blast (in sheath). This seems to happen when you move a plant from one growing area to another and there's a sudden change in light or temperature. Water condenses inside the flower sheath which causes the buds to rot in the sheath before they ever emerge.
Sometimes Bud Blast occurs in buds that have already emerged from the flower sheath. This usually occurs when the plant has been allowed to dry out too much or something happens that causes the development of the buds to be disrupted. Eventually they just fall off.
While we're on sheaths there's a condition in Cattleyas called "blind sheath." That's when a sheath appears but there are no buds in it. Maybe there wasn't enough light for the buds to develop or maybe the plant just isn't ready to bloom yet. It probably will eventually.
There are, of course, all the problems associated with over or under-watering, too much or too little fertilizer, not enough air circulation, too big or too small a pot, etc. Following the general rules of growing most orchids will prevent many of the problems before they ever become problems. Just remember to know your cattleya by doing some reading and research.
David E. Carlson is a longtime gardening & orchid enthusiast. For more information about solving orchid problems visit Orchid-Flower-Care.com.
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