My Cattleya is a "Basket-case"

[Ian61]

I just received a Cattleya from a friend that knew I was recently hooked on orchids. I don't know what type or colour it is (wasn't tagged). It had flowered in the past (stems cut back).
Anyway, it is in a wooden-slatted box. I have researched this a bit and found that they can be planted this way. It looks like the growing meduim is Spag. moss.
I was wondering the following: Is the plant too large for the basket?, Would you recommend a bark mixture if you think it needs repotting? If you think its present condition is fine, how long can it grow in the basket until it needs to be re-potted?

I am posting pics (for the first time), so I hope it works.

Ian

[dougd]

Looks fine to me Ian. Orchids like to have their roots compressed. Remember, to have it bloom, you need to observe its dormant phase and allow the temps to drop to 50-55 at night. Looks like you have new growth in the fourth picture. You may want to peel off the dried velum on the psuedobulbs. Bugs like to hide there.

[Frdemetr]

Ian,
I don't use this method to grow Cattleyas (only Stanhopeas). But I know people that use wooden baskets filled with sphagnum, and it works well. The problem in repotting your Catt is the loss of roots; for me the plant could be left in this basket for more two or three years, with no problems!

[isurus79]

I agree with Frederico and Doug. You Catt looks fine and can go for several years more before repotting. I personally like to use bark for growing my Catts, but as long as your careful about not overwatering, you should be fine. One of the cool things I like about basket culture is that you dont need to "repot" until the actual basket itself breaks down. Until then, the plant is happy to crawl all over the basket and often turns into a huge specimen plant with TONS of flowers!! Enjoy!!

[Lagoon]

I do grow all my catts in sphag, but not in baskets, looks great!
Personally I wouldn't use anything at all for media. I'd let it go nuts in that basket.

Great job on those photos, Ian

[Ian61]

Thank you all again for your expertise. I will follow your advice and now that I am confident that I can post pictures, I will submit them when my new Cattleya flowers.

Ian