Catt Training

[Leisurely]

Eventually you are going to have to re-pot but for the time being you could leave the new growth until it matures. Using a long twist tie, when the growth is several inches long, tie it to a couple of stout growths and slowly, as it grows, tighten a little and it will eventually be straight or near straight. This appears to be a plant that has a long rhizome.

The other thing, which is what I would do, is lift the entire plant out of the pot and place it in a wooden basket and let it do its thing. Cattleya Walkerianas have similar growth habit and are famous for rambling and are usually grown in a basket or on a slab. Since they are prone to root rot, it is ideal culture for them.

[Shirley]

I think that, if you can repot and get those new leads away from the pot rim, you can insert some stakes at the rim in front of the leads. I use venetian blind slats cut to the desired size. The curve of the slat helps to direct the growth straight upward. Good luck!

[mojomick]

Doc, I asked a professional grower that same question just last week. I have several catts that are doing the same and the spikes are growing more sideways than straight up. He told me that it is a light issue. That particular catt may need a higher light than you are giving it. Betty

[BikerDoc5968]

Thanks Betty... this may be the case as my catts are pushed close together because I haven't got the room to spread them out

[Leisurely]

I just had a second thought about your plant. Cattleyas grow rhizomes, which is the growth between pseuoobulbs. What you are seeing is the rhizome and when it starts a new bulb and leaf it will automatically grow upward. At that point it will then be out of the pot so I think you definitely need to repot. Some Cattleya grow long rhizomes and some grow virtually none at all. They just kinda grow bulb directly beside the other.