Repoting Cattleya

[bdelfiero]

I want to repot my cattleya because the old media(coconut husk) is holding to much moisture specially at the bottom of the pot and it's causing root rot problem and some molds.

I was thinking to use primeagra(LECA) as the sole media using a 6 inch clay pot. Do you think it's ok ? In this case I can water my cattleya everyday without worrying about root rot.

Does anybody tries the same method using LECA as the media? What is your watering guide?

Thank you.

[Autumn Child]

My experience with clay pot is that they dry out way too fast..unless you are in a tropical weather. I would probably use a plastic container with hole drilled in it, then you can buy a decorative pot that can hold the plastic container.

I don't know about cattleya, but my oncidium is growing like weed on s/h after i transfer them from moss and clay pot. they adjust quite fast too. My phals on the other hand is still thinking weather s/h is their favorite.

[trdyl]

I use PrimeAgra in S/H for all of my Cattleya Alliance species and hybrids. They love it and never dry out. You can also use it in a regular pot without S/H culture and would work great as well. I don't think you would have to water it everyday in regular culture but possibly every few days.

[bdelfiero]

I am attaching some pictures of my cattleya. It has also some fungal problems because I removed the coconut husk on the pot due to some molds and bugs.

Do you think watering everyday using primeagra will cause harm?

[Swamper]

I got a really good deal on 27 seedling cattleya about 2 months ago. I potted them up in with LECA and they have grown almost twice the size. I water them once a week, sometimes twice.

[bdelfiero]

Originally Posted by Swamper

I got a really good deal on 27 seedling cattleya about 2 months ago. I potted them up in with LECA and they have grown almost twice the size. I water them once a week, sometimes twice.

Are you using LECA is s/h or in a regular culture?

[Izzie]

Autumn Child's conditions maybe different, but in my experience, and from what I've heard, unless you're using LECA, clay pots are the way to go with Cattleya Alliances.
They like drying out between waterings, and clay pots are perfect for that, they don't keep the media wet for quite as long, and are more airy as well.

Trdyl is a good person to talk to about LECA and Catts.

If you used LECA without doing S/H, I'm undecided as to whether to use a clay or plastic pot.

If it's staying wet too long with the CHC, I'd try going to LECA as the medium, but not s/h, or trying CHC in a clay pot.

Or you might try a trick I use- I've gotten in the habit of putting a layer of LECA in the bottom of all my pots to make sure it doesn't stay too wet down there and so far it's worked beautifully.


As far as the pests and fungus- whatever media you use, it's a good idea to soak it for 24 hours before use, in a Physan 20 or bleach solution. 1tsp bleach: 1 gal water.

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by bdelfiero

Are you using LECA is s/h or in a regular culture?

They are in clay pots with hole in bottom and some are in plastic with hole in bottom and sides. No water stays in there so I'd say that's regular instead of SH which keeps some water in it all the time right?

[bdelfiero]

Thank you Izzie, I will try LECA in clay pot and see how it goes. If it goes well I would be very happy, If not and the catts dies, I should concentrate in growing other orchids. I think I am having a hard time with Cattleya. I have 3 seedlings in s/h for a month now and I don't see any progress.

[bdelfiero]

Originally Posted by Swamper

They are in clay pots with hole in bottom and some are in plastic with hole in bottom and sides. No water stays in there so I'd say that's regular instead of SH which keeps some water in it all the time right?

Yes it's regular using LECA. How often do you water them? your info might be helpful to my catts too..thank you.