Should I convert to S/H now or wait?

[marcmaubert]

Hi! I've been converting all my orchids to Semi-Hydro and I've tried to follow instructions, so I only convert when I see new growth. Only my NOID cattleya, my NOID mini phal and my new zygopetalum and Monnierara Millenium Magic are still potted in organic media. I guessed I would have to wait until springtime to repot all 4 of them, but today I noticed new growth on my zygopetalum and my cattleya. I've never had a zygopetalum before, so I'm not sure if this is new growth or a new flower spike. But I know my cattleya, and I'm pretty sure this is a new leaf (which is weird, it just produced 2 new leaves this spring and it used to grow a leaf per year). The problem is, it didn't flower last year (I couldn't provide enough light & fertilizer) and I had to repot it in February (I waited far too long to repot it), so I'm worried about converting now. I really want it to flower this year (it's my mother's favorite orchid) and I don't want to upset its new roots. So, is it safe to repot both now or should I wait until next growth?

[marcmaubert]

or should I post this elsewhere? I'm fairly new to this forum, I'm sorry if I asked too many questions at once.

[princesjess13]

I can help with the zygo a little. Yes you have a new growth. I have one as well and mine looks the same. I don't know how long you have had yours but spikes come from the newest pseudobulbs. The older ones lose their leaves and expose the pseudobulb over time. I didn't know that. I have also been told that once this new growth starts it needs a temp drop of 10-15 degrees to put out a spike in about 3 months. I currently have mine in sh because I can't seem to keep roots from rotting in bark. Plus mine was in poor condition when I got it. I just put mine in pebble rocks yesterday. As for your cattleya I wish I could help you more, I just got mine and it's over growing its pot in bark and it's currently in bloom so I have to wait. Not sure if I helped you or not. Just what I have learned so far.

[Roberta]

I'm no expert on semi-hydro, but I wonder how you would handle the Monnierara in semi-hydro, since it needs a dry winter rest. I guess you could put it on an S/H setup after it loses its leaves in the fall/winter and just add no water until roots are 5-6 cm (3-4 inches) . In general, the time to pot Catasetinae is late winter, just before the new growth starts. But no water until the new roots are well established!

[marcmaubert]

princesjess13, thank you so much! I've just inspected my zygo and I think you're right, it's a new growth. It still has its old flower spike (I've had it for just a month) so I just compared the new growth to it. I will convert it to semi-hydro as soon as possible. I'm still unsure about what to do with the cattleya, though

---------- Post added at 10:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

I'm no expert on semi-hydro, but I wonder how you would handle the Monnierara in semi-hydro, since it needs a dry winter rest. I guess you could put it on an S/H setup after it loses its leaves in the fall/winter and just add no water until roots are 5-6 cm (3-4 inches) . In general, the time to pot Catasetinae is late winter, just before the new growth starts. But no water until the new roots are well established!

Thank you so much for the tip! I think I will do as you say, just put it on a S/H setup as soon as it loses its flowers, but I won't water it. I bought it just a month ago and I guess moving it from a greenhouse to my home shocked it into an early dormancy. It lost all of its leaves in a couple of weeks, but it still bloomed without a problem.

[estación seca]

Move to S/H when roots are in active growth.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Move to S/H when roots are in active growth.

Fine-tuning that statement a bit, the BEST time to move plants to S/H culture is when brand new roots are emerging from the base of the plant, and actively growing.

[flowerpower]

I would leave the cattleya a little bit longer but it should be ready soon. I wouldn't touch the Monnierara until it's done for the year.

[marcmaubert]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I converted the zygo to S/H today (I noticed a lot of brand new roots were starting to grow from the base of the plant, like Ray said).

I changed the Monnierara to S/H too (with dry LECA) because its flowers started to fade yesterday, so I'm convinced it's in dormancy now. I hope I made the right decision because the sphagnum moss it was potted in looked really old and compacted and was still soggy after 3 weeks without any watering (i didn't want to risk it)

I think I'm gonna leave the Cattleya be until I notice new roots from the new growth.

[CatherineSmith]

Hi! How is your Millenium Magic doing in S/H?