This is C. lueddemaniana and it's not looking too happy at the moment. Is this a result of too much
rain? It is putting out new growth, but the other part looks highly contagious . What would you do
it this were your plant?

Oh boy! I do hope I am wrong, but unfortunately this Summer I had my share of similar problems regarding Cattleyas. I am not sure you can save any of the growths with that brownish darkish lower part. Last week I bought some Captan ( from the new Oak Hill garden) and treated some of the affected plants - after removing any dying or dead tissue.
You might want to run this past Jim or Laurel and see what they say.

Lindsay, I had a couple start to look like that after we had the drenching from Debby. I did some cutting on the soft or discolored parts, and just doused the rest including the cuts with cinnamon. Seems to have worked, they all recovered except the one little Paph. I didn't notice him in trouble until too late. One thing about cinnamon, it most likely can't hurt!

I kept all the affected ones quarantined in the shade and under the roof overhang where they couldn't get rained on any more, until there was no further sign of plague. Just misted the leaves, being careful not to wet the affected areas, or to splash any water around.

From your pics, I'd take a sharp serrated knife and cut out all those stems with the dark discolorations, then as I said, douse the whole pot with cinnamon. Until further expert help advises otherwise, that is.

I have used cinnamon too. Before I started tarping, I lost 30 plants to rot the year it rained 3 times a day. Now I only let the rain hit once and in the AM.

I don't like the looks of that at all. I think you have a rather serious case of Phytophthora cactorum. Most cases begin on the leaf surface as black spots and move down toward the crown where they will girdle the plant and kill it. Your plant looks as if it is already near the crown so there may be little time to stop the progression. Remember that fungicides are protectants, not cures, so I agree with Elaine in that you should carefully cut and remove anything with the black fungas. I would then drench the plant with a systemic fungicide such as Subdue or Aliette. I've also had success with Bayleton. I think it is past what cinnamon can do. Above all, isolate the plant and sterilize any tool or pot that comes in contact with it.

Jim

Alrighty, thanks for all your suggestions! If I have trouble locating the fungicides you've suggested would the
Bayer 3 in one work in a pinch or Physan (sp?)

The Bayer 3 in 1 did not prevent it for me.

If you go to a good nursery, you should be able to find these fungicides. They are not rare.

Jim

Physan helps prevent this but does no good at this stage.

Kathy, do you treat all your plants with Physan? And if so, what dosage?

Lindsay, it sounds to me like the only thing that stops the spread of the disease once it's got a hold is removing every bit of affected tissue you can, then keeping the areas where it was dry, dry, dry after that.Systemics will help keep the healthy tissue from infection, but won't cure it once it's going. I'm thinking the cinnamon treatment worked for me because it's applied dry. The others are all either sprayed or doused on with water and any more water was the last thing I wanted to put on my sickly plants.

Just a thought, since there's no sign of black spots on the leaves, and there is healthy looking new growth, what about re-potting? Getting rid of as much diseased tissue as possible must be a good thing, right? Take it 'way down the far end of your garden (downwind of any other orchids, preferably) and removing the plant from the pot, you might spot any more blackened areas such as roots, and be able to excise them, too. Get rid of the old medium that could be holding spores of the fungus - put all the diseased plant stuff and medium in a sealed plastic bag in the trash. Douse the naked plant with whichever fungicide you get, then dust every part of the lower portion of the plant especially the cuts with cinnamon, and re-pot with new (dry?) medium and a sterile pot. Then let it dry out for a week, maybe?

What do you think, experts?? Is drastic action justified here?

To tell you the truth, I think it is all over for this plant. I can hear the fat lady singing from here.

Jim

la la la .... most likely.

Well, no harm in experimenting on it then. I do love experimenting . .

Thanks guys...I suspect I will have some other losses as summer camp for the Catts. is perhaps
a little on the crowded side.

I will perform surgery just for kicks and take the list of fungicides to the store in town that sells exotic
chemicals...maybe I'll get lucky.

Wow, ya think?? That's a herd of Catts you've got snuggled together there!

I get anxious when any of mine are close enough to even touch their leaves. But then I'm a relatively new orchid mother and don't have half as many as you do.

I'd go for a pound of cinnamon powder at the bulk foods store, too, Lindsay!

a pound? that's it? probably need a barrow full!

Ok , I performed surgery today. It ended up being
4 pieces each with a new growth and the old growth
immediately preceding that. I think 2 of the pieces had
2 old p.bulbs. I used a mix with a little less bark and more
aliflore , charcoal and perlite hoping for faster drainage.
I used A TON of cinnamon and some fungicide that Jim
had suggested. I used a brand new pot.
should I throw the old clay pot out or can it be sanitized?

I think you can sanitize it, Lindsay. Scrub with soap and a little bleach - I use Clorox Clean-up bathroom cleaner. Then set it out where it will bake in the sun. Sunlight is death to fungus, generally. Don't use it again until it is thoroughly dry and baked - at least a week of sunshine, I'd think.

I"m betting you'll save that plant, just keep it dry for at least a few days. Mist the leaves only. Keep it away from the others for a few weeks until you're absolutely sure the plague is gone.

Let us know how it goes, ok? Have you done an inventory on the rest of your Catt herd? As you said, this may have only been a test run.

You are doing everything you can, Lindsey. Good luck. Yes, you can sanitize the pot with bleach. I just make a heavy bleach solution in the sink and set the pot down in it. Leave it for an hour or so.

Jim