Rootless Catt's, how to use Kelpak

[Blueszz]

I'm not sure if this is the right section for my question.

I received 4 rootless Cattleya's. They are in different stages of growth, From dormant, to visible tiny new pseudo bulbs to beginning of a few roots.

I think Kelpak is my way to go.
The first day I got them I had them swim in Kelpak solution as far as I could submerge them for about 2 hours.

Tomorrow I'll install LED light. I'm living in the Northern hemisphere and days are short an dark right now.

How often should I use Kelpak on these Cattleya's?

I've read numerous old topics about this subject but the more topics I read, the more different methods I read about. Confused about what the best method is.

[Ray]

The manufacturer recommends applying it no more that every two weeks.

[Blueszz]

Thank you Ray,

as there are no roots left, do you recommend a soak for a few hours?

[Ray]

An hour or two is good.

[Blueszz]

Originally Posted by Ray

An hour or two is good.

Thank you.

[Roberta]

With no roots, the big challenge is stability... stakes, rhizome clips, whatever it takes to have them not wobble.

[Blueszz]

I have no idea how to do that.
I can't pot a rootless 1 ft high plant in a 2-3 inch pot and keep it stable.

For now the are laying on a bench under 2500-4500 lux LED, depending on where they are on the bench. I might have to up the amount of light, carefully watching the plants.

[Ray]

You have to find a way to keep the container and the plant rigidly linked so that there is no movement of the plant in the medium. Such movement discourages root growth.

Stiff wire is good for that. I have usually bent them to clamp onto the pot lip, with an upward stake to attach to the plant, but I’ve also seen folks take a long section of wire and bend it into a “Y” shape. Inverted, twist ties attach the “stem” of the Y to some part of the pseudobulb and the “arms” of the Y are bent to match the contour of the pot and held in place with tape.

[Roberta]

I have sometimes been able to secure a rootless plant with 3 stakes (at the edges of the pot) and wires or twist ties to each one. Once all 3 lines are under tension, they can hold the plant pretty well. I have also used a piece of heavy wire, heat up the end and shove it through the plastic pot at the level of the rhizome, then pull the wire through to the other side, heat it again and poke it through, then bend the wire on both sides of the pot to secure it. If positioned right so that it holds the rhizome firmly, works pretty well.