S/H question

[Oscarman]

Can I hear some wisdom on SH culture of the cattleya family of orchids please. They make up about 1/3 of my stuff, with phal and slippers the rest.

How do they adapt to SH?

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Oscarman

Can I hear some wisdom on SH culture of the cattleya family of orchids please. They make up about 1/3 of my stuff, with phal and slippers the rest.

How do they adapt to SH?

Dito!
Thanks.

[Ray]

Catts go great in S/H culture, but like other plants - maybe moreso - the timing of repotting is key. Move the plants into S/H culture right when roots are emerging from new growths, so they can tailor themselves to the conditions.

If you have been negligent in your repotting, and you absolutely HAVE TO repot, but there is no new growth happening, unpot the plant and clean up the crappy root system, including trimming the tips of otherwise healthy roots. Leave the plant unpotted for a few days so the root tips will dry, then repot. Those "damaged" roots will branch and grow to suit the conditions.

In both cases, keep the plant warm to foster active growth.

Blc. Castle Treasure, grown for about 5 years in S/H:

[amateurorchid]

Your are right Ray. I have all my Catts and Phals in SH now. One of the Catt is blooming now. But the Catts take a longer time than the others. It looses all its old roots and grows new one when moved to SH. But the Phals doesn't do that. I don't know logic behind it but that's what is happening in my plant room.

[Tindomul]

Very nice Catt you got there. Im hoping to buy a Catt of somesort soon, and hope to grow it S/H-ally.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by amateurorchid

Your are right Ray. I have all my Catts and Phals in SH now. One of the Catt is blooming now. But the Catts take a longer time than the others. It looses all its old roots and grows new one when moved to SH. But the Phals doesn't do that. I don't know logic behind it but that's what is happening in my plant room.

Whether a plant loses its old roots - and it's a matter of degree, not an "all or none" situation - has a lot to do with how it was grown before the switch to S/H. If it was relatively wet, it's no issue. As a matter of fact, stuff in sphagnum ususally reacts as if the less-soppy conditions of S/H culture is an improvement, while plant previously grown drier have to adjust more.

[amateurorchid]

Thanks Ray. I will have to take pictures of the Phals. 3 of them were rescued from a big box store and were about to die on me. But now they have healthy greenish white roots.
Did I tell you that my Catt is blooming? Thanks
Srivida

[couscous74]

I put a Catt. luteola into S/H using fine grade PA last summer. It just bloomed for me yesterday.

[bwester]

anybody ever try a disa in s/h? I really want to try to grow one and wondered if s/h would work for it.

[Oscarman]

Thanks for the info, I am being swayed......

Nice catt Ray.