I finally found a big pot for my Cattleya

[No-Pro-mwa]

Ok so I found one but it is a bit bigger than I was looking for. The plastic pot is 8 1/2 inches and this one is on the inside 10 3/4 inch. It has a big whole in the bottom but I will either get a plastic net pot or use peanuts like has been suggested from some one here.

I guess first question is peanuts or net pot?

Second do you think it needs more holes drilled in it?

Third does it look to big?

[peeweelovesbooks]

I think that's way too big for that Cattleya. I've learned the hard way that Cattleyas do not like to be overpotted.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Dang it. I was hoping because it is shorter and if I put maybe a 4 inch net pot into it that it might work. The roots as you can see are coming out of the pot it's in.

I just can't seem to find one and I have looked all over. It's just the wrong time of year around here to find pots. It seems to be what ever is left over from last year. I just wanted to put it in a terra cotta pot and not a plastic one.

I'm beginning to think I am suppose to divide it.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Dang it. I was hoping because it is shorter and if I put maybe a 4 inch net pot into it that it might work. The roots as you can see are coming out of the pot it's in.

I just can't seem to find one and I have looked all over. It's just the wrong time of year around here to find pots. It seems to be what ever is left over from last year. I just wanted to put it in a terra cotta pot and not a plastic one.

I'm beginning to think I am suppose to divide it.

How about a Vanda basket? If you need a pot that big, I would start thinking about drainage and aeration. A vanda basket may be just what you need.

[WhiteRabbit]

Looks good for a couple years' growth to me ... Unless the roots are very poor - then I'd probably opt for smaller.

I've gone from a 7" to 10" for an L anceps - looks like it will fill the pot in another year (maybe less - was only put in this pot less than a year ago) - I did put styro in the center. A net pot also works.

Of course, different species or hybrids have longer or shorter rhizomes.

If the drainage hole is big enough that the pot drains well, should be fine. You could put styro in the bottom if you want, to keep the bottom of the media from being soggy.

[NYCorchidman]

I agree with Sonya. That pot is perfectly fine.
You cattleya is a big plant with lots of actively growing roots. It will fill up that pot in no time.

Next, I would opt for styrofoam peanuts simply because it is easy to remove the next time you repot.
With the pastic net, it will be just pain in the rear with roots growing in and out through all those small holes of the net pot.

[My Green Pets]

I was gonna say it doesn't look too big, but that tiny base is just beggin' to be knocked over, or tipped over by its own weight. That'd be my main concern, not the size.

[katrina]

That pot will be perfectly fine...just fill the bottom up a bit w/leca or styro p'nuts...or anything that isn't going to decay and break down and that will allow for speedier drainage.

It's a very shallow pot...more of a bowl really...and w/some bottom filler it will dry faster than a pot that is tall and the same width. Anything chunky will do the trick.

Here are some pics...I potted a B nodosa in a pot that looks pretty much the same. I used leca as the only medium w/a bit of sheet moss on the top to help hold a little bit of moisture but w/the leca only medium it does drain super fast. I think most would say...based on the pic...that it appears to be seriously over-potted. This was Summer 2011...back left. [pic is from a series of pics I took to show how I remove this particular plant from a wooden basket and divided it]


This is that same plant this past Summer...only 2yrs later. I'd say it's a pretty happy plant and it's done a nice job of filling up the pot.

[kindrag23]

Looks great!!! Very happy looking plant to me!

[FSUOrchids]

I would probably go ahead and divide that cattleya since it's getting so massive.