Catt with no roots - Sphag and bag or what?

[GenevaDad]

I'm confused on how to proceed to rescue this Catt. I read a lot of posts and articles but I am not sure which way to proceed. Just pot it? Sphag and bag? Rooting hormone or not? Hydrogen peroxide or Physan?

Help

[johnblagg]

In summer I just pot them in hydrotron and keep them watered well myself ...physan yes soak it according to directions to cure /prevent rot and then proceed ....spagh and bag does it have large pbs and leaves ? If so what I do sometimes is a 1 gal plastic jar with spagh in the bottom and the plant set on it in the jug ...holds it up well and is a mini g/h

[calypsoB]

I have a seedling catt that got destroyed by root rot and insects. So I put it in the smallest clear container I had and made sure it wouldn't move. I put in some new moss and sprayed the leaves daily. It is now growing a root. Although it did take a few months, I am pleased as the leaves are also growing. Anyway, that is what has worked for me. Sphag and bag always left me with more rot :S I thought I read someone say that rooting hormone isn't helpful if it has no roots at all? Maybe someone could comment on that?

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

what I do sometimes is a 1 gal plastic jar with spagh in the bottom

Growing orchids in spaghetti - that's a new one for me! With or without tomato sauce? Maybe just a little olive oil. It's worth a shot.

On a serious note, I personally don't like the "sphag and bag" method as I think it promotes rot. I have better results soaking in Physan and Superthrive, then potting in a small plastic pot with well-soaked bark mix (use Physan in the soak as well) and keeping in a shady, humid spot (the gal jug would do OK with the top section cut off) until roots start from the new growth. Mist occasionally, but keep the medium itself on the dry side. Then move in increments to brighter light and normal watering.

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by BruceP

Growing orchids in spaghetti - that's a new one for me! With or without tomato sauce? Maybe just a little olive oil. It's worth a shot.

On a serious note, I personally don't like the "sphag and bag" method as I think it promotes rot. I have better results soaking in Physan and Superthrive, then potting in a small plastic pot with well-soaked bark mix (use Physan in the soak as well) and keeping in a shady, humid spot (the gal jug would do OK with the top section cut off) until roots start from the new growth. Mist occasionally, but keep the medium itself on the dry side. Then move in increments to brighter light and normal watering.

Just where did you get SPAGHETTI at there ? SPAGH in a gal plastig jug did not = spaghetti ....

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

Just where did you get SPAGHETTI at there ? SPAGH in a gal plastig jug did not = spaghetti ....

Just that it should be SPHAG, not SPAGH (which I had assumed was a typo on your part - I would never intentionally make fun of a misspelling). "Spagh" brought to mind spaghetti, and the thought of using it as a potting medium struck me as humorous. Perhaps not.

[Vanda lover]

I don't know. I thought it was humorous. I always have to think about how to spell Sphag, phrag and many other words.

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by BruceP

Just that it should be SPHAG, not SPAGH (which I had assumed was a typo on your part - I would never intentionally make fun of a misspelling). "Spagh" brought to mind spaghetti, and the thought of using it as a potting medium struck me as humorous. Perhaps not.

LOL did not say the thought of it was not humorous
Just wondered

[GenevaDad]

Originally Posted by BruceP

Growing orchids in spaghetti - that's a new one for me! With or without tomato sauce? Maybe just a little olive oil. It's worth a shot.

On a serious note, I personally don't like the "sphag and bag" method as I think it promotes rot. I have better results soaking in Physan and Superthrive, then potting in a small plastic pot with well-soaked bark mix (use Physan in the soak as well) and keeping in a shady, humid spot (the gal jug would do OK with the top section cut off) until roots start from the new growth. Mist occasionally, but keep the medium itself on the dry side. Then move in increments to brighter light and normal watering.

Once it is potted and put in a shaded spot, should I water at all or just mist. Should I mist with Superthrive or just water?

[BruceP]

Mist enough to keep the humidity up around the plant and to prevent the bark (or sphag) from drying out so much that it needs to be re-wetted. Using Hydroton like John suggested eliminates that as an issue. I don't use it because I'm constantly knocking things over and can't stand having those little clay balls rolling around everywhere. Until there are roots, there's nothing to water.
calypsoB makes a good point about making sure the plant doesn't move in the pot - that's really important so that when the new roots start they can attach quickly. Your basic pot clip should work fine.