Rhy. Digbyana. Trying teak Baskets..... Advice?

[Cattleya17]

Hello all! I am too nervous to try growing a mounted plant so im going for an intermediate option if you will... teak baskets. I just purchased a Rhy.Digbyana 'Mrs Chase' and since ive read they dont like to be repotted I wanted to try an option that would eliminate repotting for some time. this way it can fill the basket and then grow all over the basket.. here are my Questions

In growing in baskets are there any challenges i should be aware of or risks?

And How much does digbyana hate repotting and is there anything i can do to lessen the impact of repotting?

Im thinking either lava rock or CHC for a medium... suggestions concerns with my choices?

If you can address all of my questions that would be great!! THANKS!!!!!

[Gage]

If you know a certain species prefers being mounted but you want it in a basket, use a medium that will be dry within a day or so, requiring watering daily or every other day. Since they don't like being repotted, use a medium that won't break down at all or very quickly. I would use a combo of either LECA or lava rock and chc. Then you can just let it grow all over the basket indefinitely. Good luck!

[james mickelso]

From my limited experience with brassavola digbyana they don't do well when repotted. They take a year or more to initiate a new growth. Mounting would be preferable with basket culture right up there with it. They like lots of water but it needs to be clean and free of dissolved salts. They like sun so the foliage should be on the reddish side indicating it has enough light to bloom. I haven't grown one but friends in my orchid club have had success. They smell delicious at are fragrant at night.

[samarak]

I'm not an expert, but I happen to love this species and have 4 or 5 different clones (I'm not quite sure) including 'Mrs. Chase'. One of them I've had for more than 20 years, and it survived a lot of bad care (and is in flower right now). I've not found them to be touchy - they grow better and flower better when I treat them better, but they survive and flower even when I don't.

I've used bark and a mix of CHC and aggregate that my wife prefers, and they don't seem to care.

I think they have the best fragrance ever. Good luck!

Steve