My method for repotting cattleyas..

[tucker85]

My favorite method for repotting a cattleya is to use a ring stake. You'll need a ring stake either 4" or 6" tall and a rhizome clip (this one is 6"). Both items are available from orchid supply stores like RePotMe.com, Tindara or Green Barn. Use the type made for plastic pots, they'll work on plastic or clay pots. Don't be afraid to bend it any which way you need to, to get it right.
Attach the ring stake to the pot first. Put a small amount of your mix in the pot. Drop the plant in through the top of the ring stake and move it to where you want it. As you can see I like to use a small pot with just enough room for a couple of new psuedobulbs to grow.
Fill in around the roots with your mix. Don't cover the rhizome. The rhizome should stay on the surface of the medium. Find a rhizome clip that's the right size for your pot. Some people make their own but I've never tried to.
Push the rhizome clip down on the side of the pot. It should fit very snug. Don't be afraid to bend the clip any way you need to, to get it to hold the rhizome. In about six months there should be enough roots that you can remove the ring stake or even the rhizome clip but I often just leave them in place. I don't mind the way they look. You can also pot a cattleya just using a rhizome clip but the ringstake makes it easier.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1043303...ottingOrchids#

[camille1585]

Sounds interesting, but none of your photo links work, I get a message saying "Sorry, that page was not found."

[tucker85]

Is this link working now? Several pictures should be visable.

[camille1585]

Yup, works now!
Thanks for the pics, because I really had no clue what ring stakes were, I don't think I've ever seen ones here that clip onto the pot like that.

[Bud]

Thank You, Tucker ! I really didnt have a clue what to do with my large tall Catts...
wires are a great help

[nenella]

I didn't know what the ring stakes looked like either. Hubby has just seenn your pics & will hopefully make me some this this weekend. That's exactly what one of my cattleya's could do with!

[nenella]

Originally Posted by Bud

Thank You, Tucker ! I really didnt have a clue what to do with my large tall Catts...
wires are a great help

"We" will be using wire coat hangers from the dry laundry cleaning service to make some up this weekend..

[bballr4567]

Pretty nice.

I'll probably need to do that with my dend spectible (spelled wrong lol) in the future.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by nenella

"We" will be using wire coat hangers from the dry laundry cleaning service to make some up this weekend..

I don't think coat hangers are strong enough to use as a ring stake. You can try but I don't think they'll work.

[Joy_of_books]

I'm pretty sure of the answer I'll get but let me ask anyway lol

Can I divide my cat before it blooms if it has buds growing? (probably a "no, wait" answer on this one)

I'm trading with a co-worker and I need to repot her anyway, she's getting a bit big for her basket.