Should I repot ASAP cattleyas from mail order?

[Lindanc]

I ordered three Cattleyas from Norman's - they are in these flimsy plastic pots and in moss - I ususally use bark. I got them two days ago and don't want to stress them too much but I can't stand how they are currently planted.

[cb977]

Hi Linda

I always repot every 'chid that I get. You never know what condition the plant is going to be in. Norman's has had some negative feedback but I repot everything no matter where I get it from. In my opinion, you should go with your gut and repot Cattleyas shouldn't be in moss, anyway.

[Undergrounder]

Yeah im guessing they were only potted in moss for the flight?

[freezedried74]

I agree with Susanne. I normally repot anything I get because I need to see what the root sructure looks like, plus I prefer using S/H.

Brian

[Lindanc]

Thanks guys!

yeah, I kinda figured out Norman's wasn't the best in the world - guess I was looking for something that was not available locally.

Seagrove orchids is having a sale very close to me tomorrow - guess I will be there, I always come home with something.

Several members of my family want orchids for Christmas after seeing my blooming chids! That's my excuse - Christmas shopping

Well, I guess I better get busy and pull out the pots and bark!

[Lagoon]

I also repot all my orchids within a short time. Place them inside a media that you know you can already grow well in, But don't be afraid to branch out too

Whats wrong with catts growing in sphagnum moss??
Mine do real well, dens too!

Enjoy your new 'chids, Linda

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

I also repot all my orchids within a short time. Place them inside a media that you know you can already grow well in, But don't be afraid to branch out too

Whats wrong with catts growing in sphagnum moss??
Mine do real well, dens too!

Enjoy your new 'chids, Linda

I to have a den hybrid and a catt hybrid in sphag moss and they are both happy as can be. I put them in moss since they didn't have much for roots....I am planning on putting them into bark for now and let them get bigger in size...then I may put them into s/h when they start having more new root growth.

[GreggC]

as far as the medium they like to use and the reason why and a reason why they might vary it? If I have some plants that have lost their roots, many times, I will put it in a plastic bag with moss if I want to get the roots to come back better. Otherwise, I use fir bark mix-either fine or medium.

[Ross]

I don't know about Cats, but I potted a backbulb of Miltonidium Issaku Nagata that had zero roots! I chose to place it in bark mix right off. It was in bloom when I got it from Lowes, but after the bloom and during repotting, I discovered it had no roots. I simply watered it with rain water all summer and it not only developed a new bulb, but roots as well. After a few years it became this

[Lindanc]

From my limited past experience, if it is in Moss I kill it. Don't know why it just doesn't work for me.

So I have repotted the new orchids. I’m not sure if I killed them or saved them………..all them had badly decomposing moss packed tightly around the roots. I soaked them and pulled moss out from around the roots ran water through the roots and pulled more moss out. I got most of the moss off the roots trimmed dead roots off and set them in bark. I’m not sure how many roots I damaged in the process – I just knew that they would never make it with that soggy rotten moss around them. Guess I learned my lesson with Norman’s orchids.