Cattleyas in Slat Basket?

[terrisommella]

I have run out of horizontal surfaces but of course, want more catts. Can I plant the compact versions in wooden slat baskets? If so, what kind of liner do I use for the basket if any and is my fir bark mix OK for potting medium?

The catts are doing ridiculously well in a South West window at 50% humidity. I am in PA.

In winter, I will grow under lights.

Thanks!!!

[boytjie]

I've got a half-dozen Catts, species and hybrids (and not just smaller ones) in wood baskets and they do great. I line the bottom of the baskets with coconut fiber; I bought one of those wire basket liners from Home Depot and just cut pieces to fit. Any well-drained mix will work. Fir bark pieces are good because they're too big to fall out of the sides.

[terrisommella]

Thanks. Do you think dried sphagnum moss would work as a liner?

[boytjie]

Originally Posted by terrisommella

Thanks. Do you think dried sphagnum moss would work as a liner?

Not sure about that, but I'd be careful: sphagnum will hold water, kinda like a sponge, while the coco liners let the water right through and absorb very little.

[terrisommella]

Gotcha. Thanks. Any other options you know of? I'm creating a display and looking for something in a very light neutral color. Any ideas?

[boytjie]

Originally Posted by terrisommella

Gotcha. Thanks. Any other options you know of? I'm creating a display and looking for something in a very light neutral color. Any ideas?

The coco liner actually blends in really well with the basket as it's almost the same color, and you can use a very thin layer, just enough to hold in the bark. For some of my Dendrobiums also growing in baskets, I've been using plastic screening material, since the growing medium for those is a bit finer.

[CaptFrank]

I have had success with a piece of screen cut to fit the bottom and coconut husk around the sides to hold bark material.