Growing medium for small Catts

[Sammy]

I have just bought a nice big catt at the RHS london orchid show from Ryanne orchidee.

The medium it is in now has algae growing on the bark and there are some volcanic rocks in there too.

I havent watered it, and dont know when it was watered last, but i was thinking i should re-pott.

1) Does re-potting have a detrimental effect on the flowers (i am willing to sacrifice the flowers for the plant if so)

2) I was thinking of using 50/50 hyrdro leca (expanded clay pebbles, round ball shaped things) and CHC's.

Do you think it would be ok to pot into this?

Thanks

[Tropicgirl]

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

Orchids will grow in or on anything. They grow in spite of us not because of us.

In nature Cattleya grow with no medium on tree branches with the roots exposed. Bark chips are our way of simulating a branch without the orchid roots drying as fast.

The different mediums recommended here all work but work differently. Bark holds less water than coco chips or sphag and not as much as charcoal.

Your mix was bark and charcoal and that is the standard mix used in commercial greenhouses for Cattleya.

The size of your bark is fine. Smaller bark will require less watering and need to be changed sooner. All bark should be charged at least every two years.

Most plants will be wobbly when re-potted. Pot clips are a cheap solution to hold it in place while it establishes itself.

Amen to pot clips! I love those things!

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by Sammy

I have just bought a nice big catt at the RHS london orchid show from Ryanne orchidee.

The medium it is in now has algae growing on the bark and there are some volcanic rocks in there too.

I havent watered it, and dont know when it was watered last, but i was thinking i should re-pott.

1) Does re-potting have a detrimental effect on the flowers (i am willing to sacrifice the flowers for the plant if so)

2) I was thinking of using 50/50 hyrdro leca (expanded clay pebbles, round ball shaped things) and CHC's.

Do you think it would be ok to pot into this?

Thanks

To answer your questions:

1) Yes, it is not good to repot during flowering not only because of the flowers but also because of the plant. Catts are best repotted when they start new growth. Depending on the Catt it could be right after flowering or depending on what is in its back ground a few weeks after flowering. Some Catts will rest after they produce their new growths then flower and others will rest after flowering. It really depends on the plant in question.

2) I have not worked with that type of potting mix before, but I do not see why it would not work. I am using S/H for my Catts and they are doing quite well.