Epicattleya questions/repotting advice

[kimstwin]

I bought this large orchid and later found out its an epicattleya. I don't know much about these orchids. My collection consists of phals and oncidium alliance plants mainly with a few cattleya types.

I want to repot this plant, but all my mixes are a blend of coconut husk chips, charcoal, and perlite. I usually use plastic pots. I think this plant likes it drier and sunnier than my other plants.

The flowers are waning, and I'm planning to repot when blooming is over.

Should I get a different mix? Will a plastic pot be ok?

The largest psudeobulb is 8in tall with a 20in leaf. It's a much larger plant than my others.

Any input/knowledge pertaining to these types of plants is welcome.

[nutgirl]

A very nice plant.

Yes, these like it sunnier and dryer than Phals and Oncidiums.
You can certainly put it in a plastic pot but you might find that it tips over easily.
You can use your current potting mix and add something chunkier such as medium bark to improve drainage and make it less water retentive.
Some growers use small lava rock or crushed granite.
Try to place the rizome of the plant on or just in the surface of the mix. They don't like to be buried too much.
Cattleya types like to dry out between waterings.

Maureen

[Vanda lover]

I agree with nutgirl. I use the same mix that you have, but I put some styrofoam peanuts in the bottom for additional drainage. A clay pot also helps it to dry out faster, but if you do want to use plastic then make sure there are extra holes in the sides to help it to dry quickly.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would clean and re-use the clay pot you have. It will dry faster, which is better for the plant. You can scrub the pot with a stiff brush, or scrubbing pad, to remove any debris, algae, etc. If there are any mineral deposits you can't remove, soak in some vinegar, scrub again, and rinse thoroughly. You do not need to sterilize the pot if you are using it with this same plant, but should sterilize it if you use that pot with a different plant.

Use a coarse, open medium that drains well and does not retain water. Coarse bark may be fine, but it was suggested to me recently to try lava rock. I have an Epc. Charlie Brown that will be re-potted into lava rock when finished blooming.

[Vanda lover]

Lava rock is a good possibility, and I agree about using the same pot. It is a good orchid pot. I use lava rock for s/h but I have not tried it for actually growing orchids in, mainly because I find it hard to know how often I have to water. I know it is almost impossible to over water in lava rock, but I don't want to have to water too often.

[kimstwin]

Thanks for the tips. I will reuse that pot. I will order some chunkier, drier media to mix with what I have.

I plan to put this plant in my courtyard for the summer because it needs more light than my other plants.

[nutgirl]

Originally Posted by kimstwin

Thanks for the tips. I will reuse that pot. I will order some chunkier, drier media to mix with what I have.

I plan to put this plant in my courtyard for the summer because it needs more light than my other plants.

It should be a very happy plant!

Maureen

[WhiteRabbit]

I have an Eplc Volcano Trick potted in chc mix in a clay pot - it's done great the 5 years it has been potted that way. I put styro in the center if the root mass (do so with most orchids). I try to water before media is bone dry.

[james mickelso]

Why are you repotting this? Looks fine where it is. Epi's like brighter light but will do ok where it is. Leave it in the pot it is in until it grows out of the pot. then you'll know more and will be better at repotting. People are too quick to repot. Unless it is suffering, which this one isn't, leave it alone.

[Vanda lover]

After looking at the photo again, I think James has a very good point. It looks like the medium it is in is still good.