Best pots and medium for cattleyas

[Cinderella]

Originally Posted by krystle

i would agree with tucker85 it does depend on where you live! i live in colorado so its dry here especially in the winter, i use both plastic and clay for my cattleyas. i also use bark, charcoal, spong rock medium on all my orchids and i have had great results.

Hi, neighbor
Yes, unfortunately it is very dry here. I do have a humidifier going 24/7. I see that you like the bark. I read somewhere that the Cattleyas like the fir bark. Is that what kind of bark you use? Do you mix up your own medium or is there some place in Colorado you purchase from? I live west of Colorado Springs about an hour. Thank you for your help.

[quiltergal]

I also prefer clear plastic. There are plenty of clear ones out there with oodles of drainage slits on the sides and bottoms designed specifcally for orchids. This is one I like for Catts. Slotted Clear Orchid Pot - 6" There is plenty of airflow in these pots so the plants dry quickly. That seems to be the key to success with Catts. They don't like to be kept wet all the time.

As far as roots photosynthesizing...that's what they do in nature. Most Catts grow up in the trees and their roots are exposed to light, air, rain...you get the idea. Potting them is kind of unnatural but often the only way we can keep them happy in our climates.

[krystle]

yes it is and the funny thing is i dont use a humidifier at all, my room gets hot tho from all the windows so they may be why. i do like bark mix over anything had the best results from it, and i think it is fir bark look like it is. i buy my mix from a place called palinos gardens and its called special mix 5..glad to help!! happy to find another coloradian!!

Originally Posted by Cinderella

Hi, neighbor
Yes, unfortunately it is very dry here. I do have a humidifier going 24/7. I see that you like the bark. I read somewhere that the Cattleyas like the fir bark. Is that what kind of bark you use? Do you mix up your own medium or is there some place in Colorado you purchase from? I live west of Colorado Springs about an hour. Thank you for your help.