What media/pots for my first non-phals?

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

Was this the Triangle OS auction last weekend? I had to work and couldn't make it, very sad. I made up for it this weekend at Orchid Trail, though.

I used to live in Apex; I miss the Orchid Trail so much!! I could spend an entire day there. Paul and John are fantastic.

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by nikkik

I used to live in Apex; I miss the Orchid Trail so much!! I could spend an entire day there. Paul and John are fantastic.

I really need to go to the Orchid Trail! I haven't been yet

As for your potting mix LadySoren, I think that you made a good choice! and whether you use round pots or square that's personal preference... I think some use square pots so that they can fit more plants into a smaller area.

[LadySoren]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Nice!

Miltassia (Miltonia x Brassia). Finer mix than for Phals. Somewhat brighter light. Media should be kept from drying out completely, but not kept soggy.

Oncidium alliance are prone to foliage spots.

Potinara is a Catt alliance intergeneric hybrid. Chunky, well draining potting mix. Allow to dry in-between watering. More light than Phals. Rigid, thick foliage is typical for many Catt alliance.

If you can post pix of the foliage spots, it can probably be determined if it's something to be concerned about.

Both should be fine indoors with your usual temps and humidity, or outside in intermediate to warm temps.

Sorry this took so long, here are the "spot" pictures. I'm sure there is nothing to worry about...

[LadySoren]

Also, I cannot tell which are the old pbs.
Buy my photos, can you tell me?

The ones that just finished blooming seem to be the biggest. Do old ones just get smaller or they just never got big? I don't understand how this works. Like on the Mtssa, I thought the tiny one with no leaves was a new one, but I have just found a new growth coming off of the biggest one.
After reading that I should peel off the papery stuff, I did so and found a new growth. I laughed out loud when I saw it! Who knew it was hiding under there?
And the smaller pbs on the Potinara seem to have some sheath things, but if they are "old" they shouldn't have?

So anyway, Who is new and who is old?

Also, it is my understanding that I do not repot these types of orchids until new psuedobulbs have 1"+ roots?
Do these look like they have enough room for me to wait until another growth or two, or should I repot a soon as the roots get to that length (only the Mtssa have a new pb as far as I can tell. Nothing on the Potinara yet)

pix below of Potinara and Mtssa

[LadySoren]

sorry sideways!!! >.<

[tucker85]

The older pseudo-bulbs are the smaller ones. The plant was smaller at the time that they grew, the pseudo-bulbs didn't shrink. On the second plant obviously the new growth is the side of the plant that is growing. I don't know about when to repot when growing under lights. Someone else will need to address that.

[LadySoren]

At some point all new pbulbs will grow to be about the same size then? The new ones aren't going to be gigantic pBulbs. Lol The small ones were just immature or little to begin with?
I'm mostly thinking of the Mtssa because the tiny pbulb doesn't even have leaves or any sort.

Also, if anyone could see my post about the spots and let me know if that's just normal, that would be helpful.

Thanks guys!

[WhiteRabbit]

Yes, at some point, pbulbs will reach maximum size with ideal care. The tiny pbulb on your Mtssa has previously dropped its foliage.

But, I have some orchids I've had 4-5 years where new growth / pbulbs are STILL getting bigger. Just noticed the recently maturing pbulbs in Onc Sharry Baby are as big as my fist! Some Catt hybrids I always thought of as relatively compact, are looking not so compact recently ...

Hard to say for certain regarding the spots. As said, Onc alliance can be prone to some spotting. Doesn't look concerning to me.

In the other, could be from sucking insects. Do the spots get bigger?

[LadySoren]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Yes, at some point, pbulbs will reach maximum size with ideal care. The tiny pbulb on your Mtssa has previously dropped its foliage.

But, I have some orchids I've had 4-5 years where new growth / pbulbs are STILL getting bigger. Just noticed the recently maturing pbulbs in Onc Sharry Baby are as big as my fist! Some Catt hybrids I always thought of as relatively compact, are looking not so compact recently ...

Hard to say for certain regarding the spots. As said, Onc alliance can be prone to some spotting. Doesn't look concerning to me.

In the other, could be from sucking insects. Do the spots get bigger?

Ok, so it had leaves and lost them, that makes sense now lol

Spots haven't gotten bigger or more prevalent. I guess I won't worry for now.

Also, on my Cattleya type one, I peeled back some of the papery stuff and noticed two growth looking things, but then I read about "eyes" that may produce a new pbulb.
Are these like the nodes on a Phal, if you peel it back, there's a little triangle thing that can stay dormant or become a branch or keiki?
Am I right in thinking the triangles on the Potinara are those "eyes"? (I think that's the term I saw used)

Is it bad that I uncovered them....?

---------- Post added at 09:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 PM ----------

oh, thought of another question. Sorry...

If it appears that an older pbulb never has produced a flower spike, does that mean it never will because there are now newer pbulbs maturing and producing spikes?

[My Green Pets]

Originally Posted by LadySoren

oh, thought of another question. Sorry...

If it appears that an older pbulb never has produced a flower spike, does that mean it never will because there are now newer pbulbs maturing and producing spikes?

Oooh I think I can answer this one. Plants like this bloom on new growth so old pbulbs will not flower again. Their primary function now is as energy reserves.