Just received cattalya and vanda foam at bottom of pot

[Mercurianmad]

Oh dear. Sphagnum

[SouthPark]

They should just ban the word 'sphagnum', and just officially make it 'spagnum'.

[Mercurianmad]

I’m actually nervous that I’ve put too much moss in there but I don’t want the orchids to dry out overnight. All that moisture drops the temperature though and the grow light won’t be set up for awhile. Is ther any way I can make them warmer in the meantime besides removing moss? Maybe a warm mist humidifier?

[estación seca]

What will be the temperatures overnight? Orchids are not delicate. I suspect you are worrying far too much.

[SouthPark]

MM ----- orchids are succulent kinds of plants (I think). They can handle dry for a while - provided it's not like sahara or dubai desert sun blazing down on them that is.

Your catt and vanda will be just fine. As for the loose bits of sphagnum. You can leave them there ----- but just watch the roots like a hawk for any signs of issues, which can happen if wet moss stays on regular unadapted orchid roots for a bit too long. Not always - but can happen.

[Mercurianmad]

Well the thermometer says the windowsill is already 64 because of the humidity, I’m guessing. Our house is at 74 right now and I’m keeping the thermostat set there overnight

---------- Post added at 08:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:31 PM ----------

I will be checking on them at one when my baby wakes me up

[estación seca]

Most Vandas keep growing when routinely over 55 F at night. Daytimes can be very high.

Catts prefer a good temperature drop at night. They don't mind overnight lows into the upper 40s F / 5C+ if the next day is warmer. They're fine with summer days well into the 100s F / upper 30sC if well watered. I would think you could grow the Catt outside if nothing would eat it.

I don't think you need to worry about temperatures in your growing area now.

[Roberta]

Remember, a dry orchid can tolerate much more cold than a wet one. This is especially handy when dealing with types that like to be warmer - water in the morning, and if they're dry by evening you're set. While that Vanda would probably like to stay above 65 deg F at night, if it's dry it can go lower. Tonight, just move it off the windowsill into the warmer house. Starting tomorrow, go with the "water in the morning, dry at night" regimen.

You did well with the repotting! Growers do use styrofoam "peanuts" for drainage, and to fill part of the pot so that there isn't too much volume of medium. I have not found the stuff to be particularly useful - rocks are much better for drainage - and also help keep the pot from tipping over.

[Mercurianmad]

The plants pulled through last night. Question about vanda roots. Are they supposed to be hard? My other orchids roots get kind of softer when wet. These are green but still seem really hard.

[Roberta]

Yes, Vanda roots are very hard and stiff, at least the newer, shorter ones. (When they get to 3 ft/1m or so the hanging part is more flexible. That's growing under tropical conditions, with roots hanging free, they can do that and more.)