Growing medium for small Catts

[Jeffery]

I was wondering about the growing medium I choose to use for my young Cattleya's, of course after trimming back unhealthy roots, there was not a lot of root left, I choose chips only because of the fact that Catts need dry out between waterings, my question is, it appears the chips may be a bit large for these small plants and there roots and the plant is not holding firm in the growing medium, there like a very lose tooth ready to pop out, any suggestions?
Also in that other pic is some new growth on one of my Catts, the roots look awful in the very close up pic, but when I trimmed I left only firm/fleshy root, are they maybe just staind from the chips or something?

[flowerpower]

Sorry, I'm not experienced with Cattleya's but have you tried using a finer grade of bark? I use a medium grade but those chunks look quite big, maybe a mixture of medium and fine.

[Jeffery]

Originally Posted by flowerpower

Sorry, I'm not experienced with Cattleya's but have you tried using a finer grade of bark? I use a medium grade but those chunks look quite big, maybe a mixture of medium and fine.

Thanks!! I feel kind of silly about that, where I bought my medium they had lots of it, but all the same thing, so I thought 1 size was about it, guess I will need to look elsewhere....

[peeweelovesbooks]

I use 100% hydroton with fantastic results.

[stefpix]

I use coconut chips.
I like them better than bark. gets wet and dries faster

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by stefpix

I use coconut chips.
I like them better than bark. gets wet and dries faster

wow - mine seem to dry slower in chc - but it's nice and airy at the same time

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Jeffery

I was wondering about the growing medium I choose to use for my young Cattleya's, of course after trimming back unhealthy roots, there was not a lot of root left, I choose chips only because of the fact that Catts need dry out between waterings, my question is, it appears the chips may be a bit large for these small plants and there roots and the plant is not holding firm in the growing medium, there like a very lose tooth ready to pop out, any suggestions?
Also in that other pic is some new growth on one of my Catts, the roots look awful in the very close up pic, but when I trimmed I left only firm/fleshy root, are they maybe just staind from the chips or something?

the roots can become stained. The plant may feel loose because it needs to become better established in the pot. Smaller grade bark could be helpful, but if you find some make sure it's not the super fine stuff.

I've recently been trying pumice for potting catts and they seem to like it so far. I have gotten it at garden center and a hardware store. It's fairly small, so that's something that could maybe be tried. ? I use it in plasic pots, tho I am sure in clay would be ok too, just may need more frequent watering.

I also have some catts and laelias in coconut husk chips, even the 'medium' chips tend to be smaller than the 'medium' bark chips. But because it's so light it doesn't pack well, and plant may be very loose in pot. It can be harder to find, tho I think someone on the board once said they had got some at Lowe's. I'm not sure. I bought mine online. Another board member had said she gets chc at a hydroponics supply store. For mysef, I use chc in clay pots for catts and laelias as it retains moisture longer than bark, and have rotted a couple using chc in plastic pots But - that's me.

You're plant is growing roots and new growth so you might just let it be and let it get establlished.

[Jeffery]

So I did go elsewhere and I found a neat garden shop in Burbank and got some Fir bark fine grade, while there I fell in love with so many orchids they had there, 1 really stood out to me, it was a pure burgandy colored Phal and it wasen't even a noid, it had a name, the wife said no, but I will find way..hahaha

[stefpix]

you can compress coconut chips in the pot.
also you can use clay pots and put some pebbles rocks at the bottom to add weight.

works for me.

have a division of Bc Maikai that was sent and is rooting like crazy in coco chips.
I have been growing stuff for a year. no greenhouse so extra moisture of coco chips is welcome as my winter is hot and dry due to central heat.

bark decomposes faster and dries more slowly.
damp coconut never molds.
would liek to mix it with pumice but i cant find it here.

At Lowes they have ground coco coir bricks that are sold as seedling starter mix. too fine for cattleyas but maybe you could mix it with LECA or pumice.

[Jeffery]

coconut chips huh!! I never seen any yet, but could be that I wasen't looking for it, if I can find some i'll use the fir chips for the phals...