Cattleya in stones - when to repot

[debi0223]

I bought a hybrid Cattleya from a nursery that was closing about 2 yrs. ago. It is growing in some type of rock/gravel. It has only bloomed once and doesn't have alot of new growth either. When should I repot? When I repot is it ok to repot with bark, etc.?

Thanks

[Dorothy]

What conditions is it growing under?
What kind of light is it exposed to and for how long?
When do you water and fertilize it and with what type of fertilizer?
If you have them for 2 years and haven't repotted them, it might be a good idea to do so ..
Can you post photos as it really helps to see what you are talking about?
If you need help to post photos, I can guide you to the threads that give you instruction.
Just let me know

[quiltergal]

Depends on what type of catt it is. Do you have a name? I'm wondering if it's a rupicolous laelia.

[debi0223]

It is a variety developed by the nurseryman - named L.c. Blue Boy - Variety - Lenette #3

[Dorothy]

Lc. (now Guarisophleya) Blue Boy has these species with these %s -
Guarianthe (formerly Cattleya) bowringiana 25%
Cattleya gaskelliana 25%
Cattleya dowiana 25%
Cattleya gaskelliana 25%
Cattleya elongata 12.5%
Cattleya labiata 12.5%
(The RHS registry recognizes the name changes)
There is no rupicolous laelia in this hybrid.

[Shirley]

If the plant has been in the same mix for two years (that you know of) I'd think it's time to repot. For a cattleya I'd suggest a medium bark mix with some perlite and charcoal added. Have a good look at the roots when you have it out of the pot to see what problems may be there.

[Ray]

Not necessarily.

If it is growing in a 100% inorganic medium - the "rocks" first mentioned - there is no fear of medium decomposition, so that parameter is removed from the equation. I have plants in PrimeAgra that have not been repotted for more than 5 years.

What does matter is if the root mass is so clogged that they can no longer "breathe", and that's worth unpotting the plant to check. If that's the case, open up the root ball with your fingers and simply move it up to a larger pot.

Dorothy, how can that be a guarisophleya when you list no sophronitis in it's background? I did a quick check after seeing that, and I see that Guarisophleya Blue Boy is made up of only 4 ancestors - Guaranthe bowringiana, C. gaskelliana, Soph. pupurata, and C. tigrina.

I just noticed something else... your listing totals to 125%.

[debi0223]

Thanks for the reply, but all of that makes no sense to me - sorry -

[Dorothy]

OOps then I must have goofed -
How right you are, Ray .. I looked up Cattleya Elegans instead of Sophocattleya Elegans

Thank you so much for the correction

so the correct breakdown is -
Guarianthe bowringiana 25%
Cattleya gaskelliana 25%
Cattleya tigrina 25%
Sophronitis purpurata 25%

Again, mia culpa !

Debi - all the above next to 25% are the species orchids that go into making your hybrid .. we were looking to see if there was any rupicolous laelia within it's lineage as their growing conditions are very specific and they thrive amongst the rocks.