Repotted New Cattleya

[Petalsofsugar]

I really need help on this one. I bought a Cattleya in a mesh bag. When I got it home I watered it completely and then repotted it. They were in very small (2" I think) square pots. I didn't water after I put it in the new pot but it did get rained on last night. Every think I have read since I did this says I messed up. Did I just kill it or will it be ok if I don't water it for awhile and keep it in some what shadier light.

Julie

[Diane]

I don't know what you've been reading, but if you have moved it to shade and let it dry for a while you should be fine. Here is my method for repotting Catts:

Day 1. a. Water the plant thoroughly in it's current pot.

b. put media in a clean bowl and add water. Let soak.

Day 2. a. Remove plant from pot, clean up and remove any dead roots or other.

b. Dust with Rootone if needed, or if dividing.

c. Place small amount of soaked media in pot, position plant and while holding it with one hand, add more media. Be sure to get media inbetween roots and under the plant to hold it up securely. REPLACE NAME TAG!!!

d. Place newly potted plant in cool (relatively speaking) shaded area and withold water for a couple of weeks.


Everyone has their own method. Some people don't pre-soak media, some people water after potting to settle the media...etc. So you just have to see what works in your environment.

[Petalsofsugar]

Thanks so much Diane. I did run a lot of water into the little pot and they are sitting where it's shady. I guess they're going to be ok.

Julie

[orchid-man]

I will add my pennies worth as well.
To repot
Take plant out of pot -no preambil.
Remove old mix and tidy roots.
Put some new mix in bottom of new pot.
Hold back of plant against what will be back of pot and fill with mix making sure to get mix around the roots.
Give plant a drink and place back into growing area.

[Tmai]

Murray and Diane, good, easy to understand instructions! Lot of us newbies think we mess up from day one; that orchids are SO delicate. Some are, yes, but it seems they can mostly survive our early attempts. It appears to be complete inattention, or overattention in the long run that hurts them. I was afraid I would wake up the next day and all I'd find was a quivering black mass that I'd killed . All the info on this forum has been wonderful, you just have to adjust it a tad to apply to your own growing conditions, temperate zone, indoor, outdoor, etc. What fun! All you guys have amazed me with your knowledge and experience.
Julie, try what they suggest, and listen to your orchid! Most of all (I know I read this somewhere on Orchidtalk) have fun and don't stress.
Tmai

[Piper]

Orchids aren't delicate - they're the energizer bunnies of the plant world. But we, as growers, can be incredibly dense learning to read the signs they give us and understand what they're trying to say.

That's where a forum such as this helps. A collective subconscious of orchid cause and effect helps us all. No one has the whole picture, but together we remove the vodoo and replace it with a shared understanding of a common passion!

Julie