Should I try to train this Cattleya?

[Corsetière]

Is it possible to train the new sheath on this Cattleya? This plant is such a strong grower, but I am afraid of it getting unruly. It's trying to creep out of the pot!

I guess I should turn the pot more often, but is there a way to gently make the sheath go up instead of out horizontally?

[james mickelso]

When the new growth starts growing in a direction other than that which I would like, I place a stake or other blocking device in it's way to force it to go where I want. Just slide astake into the edge of the pot and prop the growth on it. gently is the key. Tying a string or florist tape and trying to slowly get it to grow upright will frustrate you. Just put a stake in front of it and it will turn.

[Corsetière]

Thanks!

[Bud]

Take out half of the clay pellets and let the base of the plant be three inches under the rim of the glass. The new growth will be contained under and grow upwards being trained by the glass.

[james mickelso]

good idea Bud.

[james mickelso]

Here's one of the things I do to get the new errant growth to right itself. This is the easiest and it's foolproof. Big rocks work well too.

[My Green Pets]

Sorry I was distracted by the AMAZING SETUP YOU HAVE IN THE BACKGROUND wow!!

[james mickelso]

Here's Bud's method which works great too. Plant deeper into the pot in the first place which then makes the planting more shallow which is good. Here....

[Corsetière]

Thanks everyone! This is very helpful! I hope I did not wait too long on this Cattleya. None of my other orchids grow this fast!

---------- Post added at 11:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:59 AM ----------

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

Sorry I was distracted by the AMAZING SETUP YOU HAVE IN THE BACKGROUND wow!!

Thank you! I just rearranged things a couple months ago and I think it works better than what I previously was doing. It really optimizes the space and natural light this way.