Just bought a Cattleya seedling LC Blue Knot "Carmela" mini- what do I pot it in?

[Becky15349]

I just bought a Cattleya seedling LC Blue Knot "Carmela" mini, and it is coming bare root. What is the best potting mix to pot this mini in?

I was thinking of keeping it here at work on my desk- I have a fluorescent bulb light about 2 feet above my desk. Would this work?

Thanks!
~Rebecca

[Ron-NY]

I just bought a Cattleya seedling LC Blue Knot "Carmela" mini, and it is coming bare root. What is the best potting mix to pot this mini in?

I was thinking of keeping it here at work on my desk- I have a fluorescent bulb light about 2 feet above my desk. Would this work?

Thanks!
~Rebecca

The light intensity from fluorescents drop off rapidly with the distance from the bulb. I don't think that would be a good spot for it. Catts like fairly bright light.

Bark mix in a clay pot is what I use. I do have some Catts in S/H but is better to move into S/H at time of new root development.

[smartie2000]

If you wanted flourescent lighting. Then I wouldn't go further than 8 inches, the leaves sometimes should be close to touching the bulb for cattleya. The distance depends on the fixture though, and the plant. Mini-catts can take less light than a full sized standard catt.
Or having it close to the windowsill will also work. Southern, Western or Eastern.

I think potting it in medium sized bark mix will work well.

[Diane]

Bark or bark mix is good for catts. And you can grow it at the office under the light you have, just find youself a little plant stand and set it on that to get it closer to the lights. I grow under lights and since plants vary tremendously in height, I have some that are practically touching the bulbs, and some that are 10 to 12 inches away. How long the light is on is also important.

[Becky15349]

Thanks so much for all your responses- I appreciate it! I will certainly get some bark mix. What does S/H mean, by the way?

[smartie2000]

semi-hydroponic

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, a bark mix is good. Since this is a mini cattleya, it will not need as much light as a standard cattleya, but it will need to be closer to the light as mentioned above if you want it to rebloom for you. Otherwise, you will grow a lovely dark green cattleya foliage plant. Best of luck with it!

Cheers,
BD

[IdahoOrchid]

I could not find a reference to the plant name you mention. I did find Lc. Love Knot 'Carmela Blue' though.