How much light to give after repotting????

[Ro'sOrcs]

Hi,

I have a few cattleyas that I just repotted (a few semi-hydroponically and one in a bark/perlite mix). I read somewhere that after repotting (at least semi-hydroponically) you should keep the plant in a humid, shady place. Is that true? And, if so, for how long should I deprive them of light?

Thanks in advance!

[Ray]

You should be applying warmth and shade, and there is no single, correct answer to your question.

The concept is that after repotting (any culture technique, not just s/h), the plant will need to grow new roots that are tailored to the new root zone environment. Warming the plant raises its metabolism, hence it will grow faster. Keeping them shadier is supposed to have the plant put more energy into root growth than vegetative growth.

Ross turned me onto under-pot heat mats as a way to raise the medium temperature by 10°-15°F over ambient, and since trying that, I see substantial new root growth in a matter of two or three weeks, instead of the 6 or 8 I used to need to get them going.

[Ro'sOrcs]

Thanks Ray!

I will try the heating mat. Would they have them at pet stores you think?

I've been reading about the proper light to give my plants and I keep getting conflicting information about how to tell whether or not my cattleyas are receiving enough light. The leaves are a dark green (the tallest ones), but the small leaves (those farthest away from the light) are a light (almost lime) color green. I read that darker leaves mean the plant isn't receiving enough light. If that's true, why are the leaves farthest away from the light lighter in color? Do you have any tips as to how I can tell if my plants are getting enough light? (I have cattleyas and phals.)

Oh, and I'm growing under 2 two-foot florescent bulbs (one warm and one cool). I'm told this light isn't sufficient and that I need at least 4 4-foot lights to do the trick? Any advice about this?

Thanks for your help!!!!!

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Ro'sOrcs

Thanks Ray!

I will try the heating mat. Would they have them at pet stores you think?

I've been wondering the same thing.
They do make small mat heaters for reptile tanks, as well as small ones for aquariums that are meant to only raise the ambient temp several degrees.
Most of the ones I've seen are pretty small and would only work for one plant at a time.
I have yet to be able to find under-pot mats at stores like Home Depot and such, so hopefully someone will chime in with a few vendors. :/

ETA: Forgot that they also make small heating pads to put in dog and cat beds- that's what I'm currently using under some phals that I've bagged. Stole it from my elderly dachshund. :X

[Izzie]

Would heating pads made for humans work, if they have a "low" setting?
What kind of wattage should you look for? I believe the one that you (Ray) have on your site is something like 17W?

[scerdena]

Check your local Lowe's or Home Depot in the seed departments. They sell them for starting seeds. We use one for starting our tomatoes in the house.

Shirley

[Ro'sOrcs]

Thanks Shirley.

I actually took a trip to the pet store yesterday and bought a heating mat for lizard tanks. It was a little expensive ($45), but should do the trick. The only thing about these things is you have to buy the thermostat separately if you want to control the temp. yourself. :-/ I plugged it in last night just to see how hot it would get, and I think it'll be okay without purchasing the thermostat....we'll see

[Brotherly Monkey]

Originally Posted by Ro'sOrcs

Thanks Shirley.

I actually took a trip to the pet store yesterday and bought a heating mat for lizard tanks. It was a little expensive ($45), but should do the trick. The only thing about these things is you have to buy the thermostat separately if you want to control the temp. yourself. :-/ I plugged it in last night just to see how hot it would get, and I think it'll be okay without purchasing the thermostat....we'll see

When I was raising monitors I always used heat tape, due to it being cheaper and more versatile in application and design


Flexwatt Heat Tape - Reptile Basics Inc

[Tropicgirl]

Originally Posted by Brotherly Monkey

When I was raising monitors I always used heat tape, due to it being cheaper and more versatile in application and design


Flexwatt Heat Tape - Reptile Basics Inc

I agree with Monkey, heat tape is much more economical for larger areas. And I would strongly suggest a thermostat with either heat system. I have know of those heating elements to go haywire and burn reptiles so I'm sure it could do some damage to plastic pots or exposed roots.

[Ro'sOrcs]

Thanks guys! I'll be taking that thing back to the store asap and will be purchasing heat tape. I had no idea stuff like that existed! And, it's sooooo cheap! :-D