New Roots Growing Up Not Down

[kavanaru]

Terri, what I have done with my Catts in S/H that were doing the same as yours (1 C. skinerii, 1 C. boringiana, and one LC. Hybrid - don't remember which it was), growing roots out of the LECA instead of going down to the water depo, was forcing the roots down. Every now and then, I just took some LECA off the pott, put the roots in the right position, and covered them with the LECA. It took a while until they understood what I wanted, but they did at the end Then I had a similar case with one Phal and one Oncidium, and thought it could be all a matter of the LECA on the top becoming too dry, so I decided to cover it with Sphag (Phal) and with fine grade LECA (Oncidium). Both plants started to grow their roots into the pott searching for the water. With Sphag and fine grade LECA, I managed to have the humidity level in the pott much higher than normal! Once the plants had roots growing in the "right position", I took off the spahg and the fine grade LECA. I use this method now everyime I move a plant to S/H, and seems to work well for me.

[Ray]

Terri,

Sorry if I misunderstood.

Personally, I have never seen such upward growth of roots in catts, but I'd guess the reaction is not, as you surmised, because the plant "didn't like" the material.

Maybe there was something about the combination of S/H under your conditions and overall culture that wasn't quite right.

I think Ramon's "beating it into submission" post is hilarious!

[quiltergal]

LOL this plant has move one step closer to the trash can! It's sink or swim now. Either get happy or get gone.

[AHAB]

Try some KLN and more frequent watering...
Did the reservoir go dry on a regular basis?
I water 2-3 times a week, and have lots of air movement.
Roots are really starting to take off now spring is here.
I would not give up on S/H, I would look at other aspects of your culture.
AHAB

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Ray

I think Ramon's "beating it into submission" post is hilarious!

but it worked for me

but I agree with you Ray, as you already mentionned it may have something to do with conditions around S/H. I have relatively low ir humidity and the LECA gets dry very quick on the top of the potts... no matter how often you water the plants...

[AHAB]

I must admit I do use the penguine humidifier...LOL
But he is a happy looking little guy.
Seriously though, when my baby stopped needing it I put it in my sun room, it works pretty well for the space I have in there. It keeps the humidity at around 50 to 70% depending on temperature.
That may be a way to go also to keep you humidity at least somewhat elevated.
AHAB

[kavanaru]

hehehe speaking about penguines...
go to the last entry on this OB page and check the video from BBC
The joke thread

[ruthann]

Wow, I am growing phals, tenuifolia, dens, even tubleroses, pineapple lilies and plumeria in s/h with no problems. I still have one den in bark with new roots creeping over the side of the pot. Quiltergal, hang in there with the s/h. ruthann

[Royal]

Eucomis in S/H? What an idea! I like your style ruthann.

[quiltergal]

Ahab, the reservoir was never allowed to go dry ever. I did give it an occasional watering with KLN. It just never ever responded well to s/h. On the other hand I have a phal that also tried to die but it has turned around and is growing loads of roots and now has two new leaves. It seems quite happy. All my other catts in traditional medium are either in bloom or bud, so I feel reasonalby sure at this point in time that it's not my culture. I haven't given up on s/h...just for this particular plant. I repotted a Vuly. in s/h the same day I took the Slc. out. It has new root growth showing so I feel confident it will do just fine.

I have a couple more phals that I will eventually move over to s/h as well as an Odcdm. I'm a little leary of moving the catts since they all finally seem to be happy.