Basic orchid growing questions

[rwiskavitch]

Hi I bought part of a newly split orchid while I was in Florida. It is a cettleya of some sort but here is my question: I also purchased a teak basket. When I got home to Virginia I wanted to put the orchid in the basket but wanted an easily managed basket medium to hold the orchid in place. I dug up and washed off some small rocks about the size of quarters and nickels and used the rocks to hold the orchid in place. I left the orchid hanging from a tree all summer and it was watered via rain and sprinkler a couple time per week. It is growing great as the roots are already beginning to wrap around the teak basket. Is it okay to use normal rocks??? Just asking because I never have seen this. Thanks for any insight you can give.

Roger

[Silje]

Hi Roger

I would say that whatever works, is ok! When you're plant is growing nice, healthy roots and thriving, you're doing something right.

You say it's a cattleya and, at least here in southern Africa, it is fairly common that catts are growing in rocks and gravel. Unless the stones are too small, they normally create a very quick draining medium with lots of air pockets in. My limited experience is that cattleyas like that. They also like to dry out between waterings. That's something I tend to forget and it has cost my plants a lot of roots over the years.... So rocks in a teak basket sounds like something I ought to try. Over-watering in a setup like that sounds virtually impossible.

Good luck!

[cbuchman]

As Silje said, whatever works! Remember that in the wild, orchids are growing on rocks, tress, etc as epiphytes. So it sounds like you made a great choice. Don't forget to fertilize weakly weekly with a well rounded fertilizer since you're growing in rocks/rain water.

Be sure to post pictures when it blooms. It sounds like a healthy plant!

[rwiskavitch]

I just repotted 2 cattleyas in lava rock. I washed off the lava rock first and it does a nice job of holding the orchids in place. I am having very good luck with having orchids potted in in plain rocks from my neighbors yard.