catt potting - Orchid Board

Sharry · #1 08-19-2013, 09:47 PM

For the catt experts out there. How critical is timing when repotting unifoliate catts? I got a Catt "Angel Bells" in the mail about 2 weeks ago. I really like the picture of the flower so now the pressure is on not to be its undoing.

The roots are okay but not great. The bark media is not great but not rotten. It has new growths but not roots yet- is it better to let them recover a bit after a summer journey in a hot box? Or is it better to repot it right away?

Also how hard is it to get Catts going if you get them bareroot when they are in their dormant season? I've been tempted by some listings but decided not to because DC summers can be so sweltering hot.

dounoharm · #2 08-19-2013, 09:51 PM

I will pot a cattleya about anytime it is due....I am constantly behind in potting so I just grab and go...I like to start repotting as soon as I see the little green nubs of new roots poking out....that seems to work best for me...and use great big chunks of good hard fir bark...I mix with a little charcoal and some big chunky diatomite if I can find it...if the media is somewhat broken down when you first receive a plant, repot.....good luck!

Sharry · #3 08-19-2013, 10:04 PM

It is fun to watch the pros. You guys pot so fast. I take 45 minutes trying to get all the old media out and then position the thing... How do you water after you repot them?

james mickelso · #4 08-19-2013, 10:35 PM

It's not imperative to get all of the old media out. Leaving some of it on the roots won't kill the plant. I repot dry so most of it falls away when I lay the pot on it's side and gently pull out the plant. Those roots that are stuck to the sides of the pot are detached by sliding a thin implement between the pot and the roots. But yours was bare root so that makes it easier. Probably was sold as flowering size. There are many strategies you can use. I would get a clay pot (others like clear plastic or net pots. It doesn't really matter as long as there are some good size holes or slits to allow adequate air flow through the media) that the plant just fits into (orchids like tight quarters), an orchid plant clip, some medium size bark, and plant it in that. Sphagnum moss can be used too. Just place the moss into the pot around the orchid loosely. Or the expanded clay pellets called lecca. The orchid doesn't really need media. But for most people it is easier. By clipping the plant into the pot the depth in which it is planted can be changed. If the roots are just beginning to grow on the new growth they should be at the surface of the media. If there are already roots, then plant them under the media. No need to stuff the media into the pot. Put a little of the media into the pot around the plant and tap the pot on the table to settle it. Put in more and repeat until the pot is full. Easy. I water the next day but that's up to you.

tucker85 · #5 08-19-2013, 10:41 PM

I prefer to repot in the spring. The plants metabolism is increasing for the spring/summer growing season and that can compensate for the stress caused by repotting. But if the plant looks like it needs to be repotted, I've done it almost any time of year with success. Your chances of success are just a little better in the spring. Use a small pot with room for just a couple new pseudobulbs and use a good chunky mix that will dry quickly. Put the plant in the sink out on the patio so you can soak it really well when you do water (like a tropical downpour) and then allow it to completely dry and stay dry for a day or two before watering again. Good luck.

---------- Post added at 09:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 PM ----------

Two products that make repotting cattleyas easier are ring-stakes and pot clips. They can be used alone or together. Only buy ring-stakes that are 6" or shorter and buy pot clips for the size pots you use. Pot clips are cheap and can be used by themselves if they fit tightly against the rhizome. Here are some pictures showing how I use them.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...80816455977713

Sharry · #6 08-20-2013, 02:58 PM

So if you are going to repot anyway, do you prefer to get plants sent to you bareroot? They would be lighter and less shipping cost lesss. Why do they trim the roots when they ship plants that way?

I might practice with some of the less favored cultivars while I work up the courage to repot Angel Bells.

tucker85 · #7 08-20-2013, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharry

So if you are going to repot anyway, do you prefer to get plants sent to you bareroot? They would be lighter and less shipping cost lesss. Why do they trim the roots when they ship plants that way?

I might practice with some of the less favored cultivars while I work up the courage to repot Angel Bells.

I don't really care if a plant is bareroot or potted. Nurseries use very light plastic pots with a little media that doesn't weight much at all. So I don't think it would affect the shipping cost too much, but I could be wrong. I don't know if they always trim the roots or not. Maybe they're just trimming off dead or unsightly roots. I really don't know. Sorry I'm not really answering any of your questions.

You can try repotting other orchids before you attempt Angel Bells but it takes a long time to evaluate whether your doing things right or not. For the best chance of success, repot in the spring as the plant is going into it's growing season. Unless the media is so bad that you think the roots might rot before then.

GregorK · #8 08-20-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tucker85

I prefer to repot in the spring. The plants metabolism is increasing for the spring/summer growing season and that can compensate for the stress caused by repotting. But if the plant looks like it needs to be repotted, I've done it almost any time of year with success. Your chances of success are just a little better in the spring. Use a small pot with room for just a couple new pseudobulbs and use a good chunky mix that will dry quickly. Put the plant in the sink out on the patio so you can soak it really well when you do water (like a tropical downpour) and then allow it to completely dry and stay dry for a day or two before watering again. Good luck.

---------- Post added at 09:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 PM ----------

Two products that make repotting cattleyas easier are ring-stakes and pot clips. They can be used alone or together. Only buy ring-stakes that are 6" or shorter and buy pot clips for the size pots you use. Pot clips are cheap and can be used by themselves if they fit tightly against the rhizome. Here are some pictures showing how I use them.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...80816455977713

Where do you order/buy this ring stakes and pot clips? Do you know where can i order this in europe?
This is so clever! This could be the solution for the new growth. Now its growing in all directons and its driving me crazy

tucker85 · #9 08-20-2013, 06:35 PM

I buy those products online from a company called Tindara. I'm sorry I don't know where you can buy those in Europe. Some people make their own pot clip or rhizome clip by cutting a piece of coat hanger wire just a little bit longer than the pot is wide. Then push and bend the wire down into the pot, over the rhizome. I've never done it but I know some people do. If you buy ring stakes always get short ones, 4" or 6".

james mickelso · #10 08-20-2013, 09:32 PM

Here is a quick and easy plant clip made from small guage wire and shaped with a pair of pliers. Takes 10 secs and holds the plant securely for as long as needed. Easy to make. And cheap.