Cattleya watering frequency

[KayJay]

Hi everyone,

I purchased some cattleyas a while ago and repotted them as the mix was very broken down. They all have new roots - although they are only 1" at the moment and have more coming. They are potted in medium bark and pearlite and top dressed with sparse spagnum moss to give a little extra moisture to the new roots. They top of the medium is misted every morning lightly as it dries out much faster than everything else. The pots are 100mm and I have put extra holes up the sides for better air circulation.

The pseudobulbs were plump and the plants were well hydrated, however now they are shrivelled and one small leaf on one plant is starting to wrinkle. I have been watering when the medium is just about dry, but I dont think that is enough. The general advice I have received for cattleyas is to let them get just about dry before the next watering - but my guess is that the old roots are all dying because I just repotted them and there are not enough left at the moment to take up enough water for the plants.

My questions is - can I give them a good 10min soak every day/second day to get them more hydrated? Even though they get plenty of air - will this cause the remaining roots to perish?

[estación seca]

So long as the roots have plenty of air, you can - and should - water them heavily while in new growth. The best time to repot any Cattleya is when new roots are just forming, little nubs.

[Wade Coleman]

I’m by no means an expert, but I have a cattleya and I think that as long as the roots get plenty of airflow and don’t stay soggy, you could probably water every other day. I water mine about every 4 days and it seems to like it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. Please post photos of the plant.

2. Please check the roots again to make sure everything is ok with the root system. Roots can rot within a week if conditions are conducive to it.

3. It is not necessary to keep a moss top dressing. I think it can cause more problems later.

I grow my Cattleyas outdoors during the warm months, and they have roots that are climbing out of their pots. As long as the relative humidity in the growing area is at least 50% at a temperature range of 55 F to 90 F, it is not necessary to add top dressing.