"Cats" in Semihydro? - Orchid Board

dannym4243 · #1 07-25-2011, 09:18 PM

I am trying to set up a greenhouse and want to know if "Cats" do well in semidroponic potting as well as "Phals" I'm a little nervous since I am new at this game.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Danny

zxyqu · #2 07-25-2011, 10:16 PM

My Catt's have done better than my Phals, but I blame timing for it mainly. ONLY transplant during active new growth, new roots/etc. Also, heating pads encourage taking of the roots. Good Luck

Eyebabe · #3 07-26-2011, 12:05 AM

I have about 150 cattleyas in s/h and they are doing very well.
Phals....not so much.

Furthermore, catts that will not go at least into a 4.5 inch pot do better growing in other media until they are larger imo.

Been doing s/h for almost a year and a half with catts and highly recommend it for this species.

Oscarman · #4 07-26-2011, 03:24 PM

All my Catts in S/H are doing great. First Rays orchids has excellent info on S/H culture.

In another post Ray mentions the root cooling effect of evaporation from the media - this can cause a problem with Phal roots being too cool, when they like it warm. Heating pads would be an excellent option.

Good luck with you project Danny!

WhiteRabbit · #5 07-26-2011, 04:06 PM

I have a few small (2.5", 3", 4") Catts potted in straight pumice, and during warm/hot, dry summer months they are grown in a somewhat passive hydro way - I leave the pots sitting in a saucer with some water. But in winter I water traditionally. They have done great this way so far - a little over 2 years.

stefpix · #6 07-26-2011, 08:06 PM

White Rabbit, what size is the pumice? is it in clay pots?

WhiteRabbit · #7 07-26-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefpix

White Rabbit, what size is the pumice? is it in clay pots?

Pretty small pumice - I just get the bags at hardware or nursery, intended as an additive to other potting media. - I do sift out the tiny bits. I use it in plastic pots.

Started as an experiment with a seedling I had rotted all the roots, and I had some bags of pumice. - I guess I switched the media at a good time, as it immediately (so it seemed) started pushing out a ton of new growth. So I then potted another seedling, and a small, and a moderate sized BS plant the same way - all are doing well - the first seedling and the larger BS plant especially so.

I recently repotted the first seedling that I had potted and grown this way - roots were great! I had a time getting the plant out of the pot! I don't keep the water in the 'resevoir' (saucer or other container) up to a constant level - usually watering when there is very little water, or none at all. Dries quickly in summer.

I imagine this works ok in the small pots mine are in; don't know about how great it would be in bigger pots.

In cool/cold and damp weather, I just water traditionally - and don't allow the pots to sit in water at all. A couple are outside year-round, but even if indoors in winter, I keep the house cool, and since heat isn't going 24/7, if it's damp outside, I'm sure it's a bit damp inside too ...

So, it's been working well for me so far, in small pots, haven't attempted any over 4" - the one that is currently in a 4" pot, needs a bigger pot - not sure yet if I'll continue the same way or not in a bigger pot ...

eta pic of 4" plant - Lcn. Memoria Timothy Kissoon
looking for pic of seedling, or I'll take one ...

stefpix · #8 07-26-2011, 10:31 PM

I have napa dry-oil which is diatomaceous earth. wonder if it could work the same, although is pretty fine, similar to regular perlite. do you have a close up of the medium?

WhiteRabbit · #9 07-26-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefpix

I have napa dry-oil which is diatomaceous earth. wonder if it could work the same, although is pretty fine, similar to regular perlite. do you have a close up of the medium?

I don't, but can take a pic (hopefully - my camera's 'macro' is very poor) - need to go walk and feed a neighbor's dog right now, but will try to get a pic after

the size is pretty similar to regular perlite, I think

WhiteRabbit · #10 07-27-2011, 01:32 AM

pic of pumice, penny for size reference
The bags I get the size isn't uniform, some very small bits, and lots of dust! Which is why I sift a bit, using a 3" net pot - I'm sure I end up still with some fairly small bits tho, and the first plant I potted this way, I don't think I had thought to sift the pumice, so probably got a fair amount of really small pieces in there - didn't seem to bother the plant at all

- don'tchya love my fancy sour cream container cache pot???

(apologies to Danny for the hijack)