Specimen Cattleya potting mix??? - Orchid Board

InspirChid1712 · #1 10-12-2011, 10:45 AM

Hey Guys!

I haven't posted anything in ages! Oops! Sorry!

Anyhoo... I have a VERY large NOID Cattleya in a 10" clay pot that I cherish very much... blooms like clockwork twice per year. Currently it has six spikes of buds after a summer outside on the porch (I CAN'T WAIT! Photos to come!), but the bark has really started to break down. I think it should be repotted after blooming and stay on the dry side until then... but what I would like is some advice as to a good medium. I'd like something that won't decompose for a LONG time so I can leave it undisturbed for years to grow even larger! I think the hydroponic pebbles would not retain enough moisture... maybe tree fern fiber??? How long does that stuff last? Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks guys!!!

tucker85 · #2 10-12-2011, 11:17 AM

I use the large size Hydroton for all my Cattleyas and it works wonderfully. Those are the hydroponic pebbles you mentioned. I sometimes make a mix of Hydroton, charcoal and tree fern fiber. It also works well. Tree fern fiber will last three or four years. My big specimen catts are in Hydroton alone or with charcoal. There are some other choices red lava rock, Stalite or Dyna-rok II. None of those will breakdown. I know one grower that likes Dyna-rok II but it tends to absorb a lot of nutrients and when I used it I found algea would grow on the medium because of the nutrients. I don't have that issue with hydroton and I haven't found anything to not like about hydroton. You may need to water a little more than with bark but a fast drying medium is exactly what cattleyas require. I water once a week in winter and twice a week in summer. Good luck.

Eyebabe · #3 10-12-2011, 08:12 PM

I use s/h for most of my cattleyas.

Personally, I think you should use a premium cattleya bark mix just like you have been using.
I might pack the central core of your specimen with styrofoam peanuts or large lava rock to discourage a wet center as the plant is getting larger.
It seems to me though that your culture and watering habits etc. have great results with bark mix.
Why mess with success

Leafmite · #4 10-12-2011, 09:49 PM

I use lava rock with all my cattleyas (and nearly all of my orchids). It works very well. You have to water more often but you don't have to worry about the media breaking down. The clay pellets work the same way. I never liked bark because you always had to take all the rotted bits of bark off the roots and if we had a bunch of cool, rainy weather, I'd get root rot. But, as Eyebabe pointed out, if bark works well for you, it might be a good idea to consider it more closely before switching. But then, lava rock or clay pellets are nice because you don't have to keep buying more media so it is good for the environment and saves money at the same time.
Good luck,
Leafmite

Ray · #5 10-13-2011, 08:24 AM

Elliot, if you want to stick with bark, use Orchiata, as it has a really long lifespan. In a pot, I might go with the #7 Super grade. I have a large Bc. Rose in a homemade 13" basket, and as that will dry faster than a pot will, I went with the 5A Power+ grade, a bit finer.

got ants · #6 10-13-2011, 07:54 PM

First, I would need more info on your growing methods, before I can offer advice, but I can tell you what I do...

Most of my catts are in clay pots. Some even in 10" bulb pans with slots cut into them. These can be heavy, especially since all my orchids are hanging. I am switching over to a Stalite mix. I add to Stalite...charcoal and sponge rock. This medium only has the charcoal that can break down, but that is only about 10% of the mix. Unlike lava rock, Stalite does not hold the extra wate/nutrients, and prone for fungus. I used to do the hydrotron, but that plants don't stay put when first potted up.

Keep in mind my plants hang in an open pergola, with lots of hreeze, and at least a weekly storm that blows pretty hard. That and the rains. I mean monsoon rains...why I'm switching to Stalite.

Did I tell you I like Stalite?

peeweelovesbooks · #7 10-13-2011, 08:43 PM

For bigger catts, I would not only consider the potting medium but also the pot you are using. Can you find something more shallow than your current pot?

I don't know what your growing conditions are, but I use hydroton for mostly everything. The bigger the plant, the shallower the pot. Got Ants is accurate in saying that the plants jostle around a bit in Hydroton when recently planted, but I've solved that particular problem by tying the plant down with that flexible plant tape that's sold at HD. It works wonders and once the plants get established, I simply cut it and slide it out carefully.

Whatever you do, congrats on having such a big Catt. That sounds beautiful!

littlefrog · #8 10-13-2011, 09:15 PM

I have a (insert whatever stupid nothogenic name RHS uses now) Tutenkhamen 'POP' that I just got a CCM on in the spring, does that count as specimen? Wins the trophy the last few years at that show... Since I also donate that trophy every year it kind of seems silly to keep bringing the plant, but it just gets bigger every year.

Anyway, it is in the biggest semihydro pot that Ray sells, with prime-agra medium. The pot split a few years ago, it isn't really doing the semihydro thing anymore. If I ever repot it, it will go into a small trashcan with a similar hydroponic medium. I don't think I'd go back to bark for it. Smaller ones, sure. Big ones that I don't want to touch for years at a time get medium that doesn't break down.

I've been known to win trophies with catts in baskets too. But I cheat in my typical lazy fashion. If it is growing in a clay pot, I just put the whole thing, pot and all, in a basket and fill the spaces with large mix. It looks a little weird, but seems to work. Again, I don't use things that will break down quickly, a lot of rock or charcoal, a little big bark. In the basket, the bark will go away over time and be replaced by roots.