Favorite Cattleya Mix

[DebsC]

What is your favorite media for large cattleya? If you have a favorite ingredient, list that, too and why you like it.

[isurus79]

I like to put wine corks stacked vertically (side by side) in the bottom of the pot and then use large grade bark for the rest of media. I also use plastic pots with 4-6 large slits cut into the side. This method allows for fast drying. Since I grow outside, if we get a few weeks of rain, I dont worry because the media dries so quickly.

[DebsC]

Thanks Steve, my best growing large catts are in large bark. I've always summered them outside and wintered them in my sunroom.

But now I have a greenhouse and I'm trying to find what works best in that growing atmosphere.

Good, large bark isn't as easy to find as it used to be. Seems like a lot of the mixes say they have large bark but it's usually not, compared to what I was once able to get.

[Jo Ann]

That’s been a trial and error process for me this winter…I had Steve's problem to with the rain..I’ve come close to rotting a few.. when they say that there roots need to dry out in between waterings it means to dry them out completely …I’ve actually found out you don’t even need potting medium with cattleyas..they are extremely tough plants drought wise…The two I almost destroyed I’ve just left sitting in plastic net pots with no medium and just giving them a soak once or every other day depends on the weather and they are now regrowing new roots it just amazes me… one was down to just one little sad root and the other one just had little tiny green nubs…so for my own particular case I would say large bark and pots with lots and lots of holes for air and drainage…

[Magnus A]

I use large grade bark mixed with epiweb. I prefere medium that dries very fast and with pure bark in large pot my experience is that the centre never dries enough. Or it is very hard to get a feeling when it dries out.

I try to get the Epiweb in the centre and bark outside.

/Magnus

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I like to put wine corks stacked vertically (side by side) in the bottom of the pot and then use large grade bark for the rest of media...

wow, that's a great idea for the plants... but just imagine, some of us would end up attending the AA meetings after so much wine and the worst is that we will not be allowed to say: "Hello, My name is XXX, I am alcoholic, but did it only for the sake of my chids!"

anyway, a great idea

[Ray]

I use PrimeAgra brand LECA in a standard plastic pot. Absorbs well, dries fairly rapidly, and is always airy without fear of decomposition.

However, just because something works well for one, it does not mean it will for another.

[Becca]

This is just to pass along a good website for potting mediums, I am not trying to promote or sell their products, it is just a place I have found that sells quality products and great customer service: Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Fertilizer - rePotme.com Orchid Supply They have an assortment of potting mediums and wouldn't sell anything they wouldn't use on their own orchids. They also have a lot of information on their website that is good for beginners. And they even sell cork chunks so you won't have to drink all that wine just to get the cork...lol.

[khill]

I use strictly lava rocks. Some of my catts are outside all summer in the heavy Florida rainy season, and it works well for that application. I need something that will dry out fairly quickly and not rot.

[Royal]

Great info! Would this apply to Cat hybrids?

LC, BC, BLC, ABCDEFG-C?