Quote:
Originally Posted by Salixx
I would follow the culture advice posted on SVO's website for Catts as close as you can.
SVO Catt. Plant Culture
With complex hybrids, I think it's important not to overthink care. Typically, they will do very well under the standard care for their alliance. If not, I would hope that the vendor would mention it in their plant descriptions.
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Good advice, to which I will add:
1. Cattleya alliance plants are healthier if they receive supplemental calcium and magnesium. For years i have used a teaspoon each of gypsum (or plaster of Paris) to provide Ca and Epsom salts to provide Mg, dissolved in a gallon of water, adding a cup of this per gallon of water applied to plants. Works well and is fat cheaper than CalMag products. Ca and Mg nutrition helps with disease resistance, Ca is especially important in cell wall development.
2. For all Cattleyas, repotting is best done when new growth is about to develop roots, or has already developed new roots. This is especially important for bifoliates (such as your Caudebec).
3. In my humid southeastern USA climate, i favor even more open and fast-draining medium than SVO recommends. I don't add perlite. I do use big coarse bark, or even whole wine corks, as medium. I favor terracotta pots over plastic because they wick moisture away from the roots.