Newbie converting from lava / bark to SH.

[daddydoall]

I transferred much of my Cat collection to a variety of SH pots to see what works best in my environment. Contrary to Ray's experience with Cats doing this in the winter (40-50 F) was a bad idea as several young plants rotted even though the reservoir-basin was only intermittently filled. I have put them all on a heat mat hoping to rescue and removed the reservoirs. Plants need to adapt to new media / cultures and doing this in active growth is likely better.

[mtorchid]

Originally Posted by daddydoall

doing this in the winter (40-50 F) was a bad idea

Are those the ambient night temps? That's way too cool for Catts and there wouldn't be much evaporation from the LECA either at those temps. Yes, active-growth period is the best time to repot so new roots adjust to their new environment but at those temps I suspect you would have the same results.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by daddydoall

I transferred much of my Cat collection to a variety of SH pots to see what works best in my environment. Contrary to Ray's experience with Cats doing this in the winter (40-50 F) was a bad idea as several young plants rotted even though the reservoir-basin was only intermittently filled. I have put them all on a heat mat hoping to rescue and removed the reservoirs. Plants need to adapt to new media / cultures and doing this in active growth is likely better.

I think you must have misread something. I don't recall recommending transplanting anything in those temperatures, and always recommend - especially with plants like catts - that they be replanted when new root tips are just emerging from the bases of new growths.

I have transplanted cattleyas into S/H in winter, but only if that latter new growth is present and I am capable of keeping them much warmer than that.