A mix of Catts....

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Very nice!!!

[katrina]

Thanks so much, Betty and Tommy.

[lotis146]

Very beautiful plants indeed!

May I ask what you're growing them in and what size pot the first one is in? Do they like to be somewhat pot bound?

I'm new to Catts but picked up a BUNCH of minis and found myself repotting them last night but I'm feeling doubtful of having used whatever bigger pots I had available than the 2" shorties they came in.

Don't mean to hijack, rather curious how you keep yours happy. Great job!

---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ----------

I should follow that up with asking if they prefer short pots as opposed to taller ones? From your pics it seems you use wider-mouthed but short clay pots, is this correct?

Thanks!

[katrina]

Thanks, Lotis...glad you like them.

As to your questions...

Pots -- I prefer orchid pots and/or azalea pots only because the wider base gives the plant more stability so there's less chance of tip overs w/any gusty winds when they are outside. Especially w/some of the more top-heavy tall catts. I do occasionally use the traditional clay pots but not that often. Plus, the wider base fits my shelves better.

I grow most of my 4" or larger potted catts in leca (light-weight expanded clay aggregate) or lava rock. I do have some in other things but the majority are in either of those 2 mediums. I grow outside during the warm weather and Mother Nature can sometimes be relentless w/the rain so I need something that drains fast or I'll have root rot. It does mean I have to water more in the Winter months...but, well, we do what we gotta do. Added benefit...w/this type of medium when it comes time to repot I don't have to worry about removing all the old medium because these materials don't break down. I simply shake the loose particles off and plop it in the new pot and then back-fill. Easy.

Those plants in pots under 4"...it's a different story. Some of my 2"-3" potted seedlings are in sphag only, some in sheet moss, some in orchiata/growstone combo, some in shredded redwood and some are sitting on a piece of lava and wrapped in sphag...I don't really have a set "thing" w/the little ones. My main goal is a little more moisture retention w/the seedlings because the leca or lava only tends to dry out too fast in my environ and I found they were struggling. I've had better success w/them since I made the change. I do have to watch out during the warm months though...if the rain become excessive then I have to move them to a protected area so they can dry a bit more.

BTW - I have so many different types of media w/the seedlings only because I'm always trying new things out.

FWIW -- most growers recommend using a pot only large enough to accommodate 1 or 2 years growth and thats' because a pot too large will cause uneven drying of bark mixes and/or never allow the middle to dry out at all. And that usually results in root rot! However, w/a medium like leca or lava rock or anything else that is dense, chunky, doesn't absorb a lot of water and drains fast...you can use a larger pot and not have to worry about that middle quite a much.

If you're using bark and think your pot is too big for the plant you're potting...simply fill the bottom half w/something like those shipping p'nuts or charcoal, or anything that will take up space but allow water to drain fast. Situate your plant in on top of the filler layer and then back fill w/your bark/mix. Stabilize the plant w/a stake or clip so it doesn't wobble....done! Easy fix!

Thanks again for the comment...hope all of that helps at least a little bit. As much as I love most all orchids and I have quite a few different genera...if I could grow only one genus...it would be catts. They are some of my absolute favs.

Good luck w/your new plants - happy growing!!