Into s/h or not

[Call_Me_Bob]

Hi. I just got a small bag baby Catt. I think I has two roots with growing tips, but very little rot, and has some healthy roots. Eventually I want to put it into s/h. Do you think it's better to pot it in good bark media unti. It gets more growing tips?? Or should I put it into s/h right now?

Please let me know asap! I will have to decide by tonight.

[johnblagg]

I pot from bark into hydrotron and just water and fert as I want because it is so forgiving, and I do mist pretty often as well the first few weeks. When I see a new root or two emerging I then go from that into s/h makes the transistion from bark to s/h very easy.

[Call_Me_Bob]

im confused. would you or would you not put this particular catt in s/h?

[Ray]

John is suggesting a transitional approach - move it into LECA, but water it as if it was is regular culture, i.e., no reservoir. Once new roots - NOT new growth on existing roots - begin growing, THEN it is ready to be moved into S/H culture.

[Call_Me_Bob]

ooh, how would i do that then? would i move it into a s/h pot?

[Call_Me_Bob]

i decided just to go strait into s/h

after i cleaned the roots up, i found it actually had a good amount. it also has some nice growing tips, that i didnt see before. its plumped up alot since i soaked it. and it looks happy. it has two leads that arent visible in the pic.

blc (lawless freischutz x goldenzelle) 'gold'

[RosieC]

I've started one I plan to transition like John suggested and currently it's in a standard pot with the lecca. I plan that when I see new root growth (probably next year the way it's gone so cold here now) I'll just slide it out and slip it into a S/H pot.

Are the new root tips completely new roots, or just new tips on existing roots. It needs to be completely new roots for the S/H transfer as the top of an existing root is taylored to the previous medium and if that dies the new tip lower down is no use.

[johnblagg]

completely new roots are what you want

[Ray]

Originally Posted by help

ooh, how would i do that then? would i move it into a s/h pot?

Put it into a semi-hydro pot, but drain the reservoir after you water, and let it mostly dry between waterings. Once you see the formation of new roots from new growths, you can go ahead and leave the reservoir full and medium wet.

The aspect you seem to be missing (or ignoring) is that you want new roots to be forming so they will grow tailored to the new environment. New growth on old roots will do so as well, but the old parts won't, and they may die, taking the new parts with them.

[johnblagg]

exactly what I like to do Ray go riight to a s/h pot but keep it drained untill new roots emerge and your good to go.Eleminates one instance of repotting compleatly so less stress overall.