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08-10-2023, 09:49 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Zone: 9a
Location: Houston, Texas
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What exactly is this type of medium on my cattleya?
Hello all,
I recently purchased this at an orchid workshop. I haven't owned any cattleyas in this type of medium before. What is this called and is there any specific details I should know about watering, fertilizing, etc? I also would like to know why the previous owner would choose this medium over the others (pros and cons), or if it is just a matter of preference.
Photos: Mystery Medium - Album on Imgur
Thank you.
Last edited by SakuraDrops; 08-10-2023 at 09:57 AM..
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08-10-2023, 11:06 AM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,204
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Looks like charcoal, possibly with rocks (although it could just be different shades of charcoal).
Some folks like it because it is very slow to decompose, hence won't lead to root suffocation.
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08-10-2023, 11:28 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray
Looks like charcoal, possibly with rocks (although it could just be different shades of charcoal).
Some folks like it because it is very slow to decompose, hence won't lead to root suffocation.
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Thank you!! (-:
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08-10-2023, 11:48 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Albuquerque New Mexico
Posts: 984
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Kinda looks like lava rock to me
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08-11-2023, 05:52 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Central Coast, NSW
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Magnifying it, it looks like 100% lava rock to me too.
Easy to test. Is it hard and heavy - If so then lava rock. Is it soft and light - then charcoal
Growers would choose lava rock because it doesn’t break down and thus is low maintenance. It may accumulate salts/toxins and thus need to be flushed, but I’ve never seen hard evidence of that.
The downside is that it doesn’t retain much water so requires more frequent watering. That Cattleya looks dehydrated so I guess it didnt retain sufficient water for the previous growers watering regime..
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08-11-2023, 09:50 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArronOB
Magnifying it, it looks like 100% lava rock to me too.
Easy to test. Is it hard and heavy - If so then lava rock. Is it soft and light - then charcoal
Growers would choose lava rock because it doesn’t break down and thus is low maintenance. It may accumulate salts/toxins and thus need to be flushed, but I’ve never seen hard evidence of that.
The downside is that it doesn’t retain much water so requires more frequent watering. That Cattleya looks dehydrated so I guess it didnt retain sufficient water for the previous growers watering regime..
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Thank you! Do you mind explaining to me how you can tell the Cattleya looks dehydrated? I don't have much experience, and always thought it was only dehydrated if the leaves looked shrivelled. Or is shrivelling a sign that its way too dry? D:
Edit: I mean to say leathery leaves. Not shrivelled sorry.
Last edited by SakuraDrops; 08-11-2023 at 09:56 AM..
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08-11-2023, 11:43 AM
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The leaves are a little bit shriveled but it's more noticeable in the pseudobulbs. It looks to be more in the older ones and you have some new growths coming so put the water to it this summer and I think you'll be fine.
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08-11-2023, 11:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keysguy
The leaves are a little bit shriveled but it's more noticeable in the pseudobulbs. It looks to be more in the older ones and you have some new growths coming so put the water to it this summer and I think you'll be fine.
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Okay I can see the shrivelling now that you point it out. Will increase the water..Thanks much!
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