New Catt with Live Moss on Top of Media. Keep or destroy Moss?

[realoldbeachbum]

I recently purchased Catt LC Busy Bev 'Blue Jewel' that came with DENSE live green moss on top of media. Would like to repot, but not sure whether to pull off the moss or leave as is. Guidance please. Thanks!!

[Roberta]

Sounds to me like it has been kept awfully wet for a Catt. Is it starting to root? Because that would be when you'd want to do the repotting if possible. Something to think about... what do you know about the conditions under which it has been grown, in comparison to what your conditions are? An inquiry to the grower might help you decide whether it is urgent or not. (It's certainly not the the way I would grow a Catt under my conditions, but it is possible that it was successful for the grower so I would not want to give a blanket opinion.)

[Leafmite]

I agree with Roberta. The moss is not at all harmful but it might indicate that the orchid is being grown wet which is fine if it is kept in a warm-hot climate. The problem is...if you need to eventually keep this alive in cooler temperatures (no idea of Alabama's winter climate). If that is the case, as this often blooms twice a year, wait until there is new growth and re-pot.

How to pot a Cattleya at the wrong time:
First, I determine if it is a bifoliate (two leaves) or a particularly fussy type (i.e. C. dowiana).
If it isn't a bifoliate/fussy one, I remove all the medium, let the roots dry for two or three days (to heal any wounds from removing the medium) then pot the Cattleya up in whatever medium I like to use (lava rock in my case). As long as the care is correct, the Cattleya should be fine since the roots are healed when it is potted.

If it is a bifoliate/fussy orchid, I do not soak it and just remove all the bark/NZ moss. I place a layer of lava rock in the pot/basket, carefully set the root mass on that layer, then put more lava rock around the roots but not covering them. If the orchid is large, I wire the orchid in place. If not, I place rock on a few roots to stabilize the orchid, leaving nearly the entire root mass exposed. I water the orchid a few hours later and then water when needed (every day in the summer). Once the roots get established, I will add more rock if it is necessary.

Again, I do not have a choice to leave the orchid in the old medium. If you do have the choice, it is truly best to wait until new growth begins to produce new roots.

[estación seca]

Some Hawaiian nurseries like H&R sell Catts in very large bark, covered with moss. They have a huge amount of rain and high humidity. The very large bark permits good aeration at the roots, so the large amount of water works well for their conditions.

If you have high humidity and water a lot, the moss looks really nice. I can't water enough to use very large bark for Catts, so I move them to something else.

[SouthPark]

ROBB ------ that grower certainly has a particular watering and caring agenda, which also factors in their environment/conditions. It's that kind of information that usually doesn't get transferred to the new owner.

But sometimes - if we ask the previous owner about the method used, then it may be possible to continue using their approach. Otherwise, experimentation or trial/error would be needed.

I recently received a catt via the post, which had been grown in a little bit of bark ----- not much bark at all actually, and the remaining media in the pot was 100% firm packed sphagnum. The orchid was (and still is) in excellent condition - including the roots.

The previous owner has their own caring method. I didn't ask about their strategy though, as I have my preferred approach. The orchid is now growing in scoria, and doing fine. It has an interesting (pretty weird, but understandable) name hehehe ....... called Gct. Swig of Brandy 'Good Drop'.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

. It has an interesting (pretty weird, but understandable) name hehehe ....... called Gct. Swig of Brandy 'Good Drop'.

Pictures please?

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Pictures please?

Will be happy to take pics for you! I'll take a couple of snaps today. I just have to wait a bit ---- 5 AM at this moment. Sunrise coming up soon!

[Shadeflower]

It's a pickle

All I can say is I like the fern growing in the right pot and it will be harder for me to keep that alive than the Catt next to it lol

[SouthPark]

haha ..... nice one shadeflower. This reminds me that I have some weeds - including oxalis growing in some of the orchid pots here. Plus some other sorts - that I don't know what they are hehe.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Pictures please?

Just took these pics for you a moment ago D.O.M. !

This one is Gct. Swig of Brandy 'Good Drop'

I think that 'Drink it Like Water' would be more fitting hehe

Google drive links (higher res) :

Pic 1 link
Pic 2 link
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