My New Cattleya

[kdennis14]

Hello,
I purchased an in the bag cattleya. It is very very small. I have looked and looked to see what I need to do now. It is in a teeny tiny pot. I am including a picture. I know it must be repotted. I need to know what size pot?? Should I do this right away? I also have another catt that was given to me unhealthy. I have nursed it back to health. It came to me in a nice orchid pot, however it is only 2 inches deep and about 6 inches wide. It has new growth galour, and new roots, however a lot of the new growth does not stand up, it lays down. Is this normal? Am I supposed to wire it up??? Thank you so much for your help. I will include a picture of it too.
Karen

[Carolla]

I have catts that stand up and catts that flop all over. I think they fit better if you want to tie them up, but otherwise I doubt it matters.

The little one should be repotted when it is starting new roots, so they can adjust to the new type of medium. You'll have to make the call if you think the current media is causing root problems. The size of the pot isn't too bad for the size of the plant and I can't tell from the picture what its planted in. If its just moss, then dampen it when it is getting pretty dry and don't get it water logged and it should be ok for a while (if the roots are ok now).

[ksriramkumar]

Concur with carol.Watch out the potting medium.

[kdennis14]

Thank you so much Carol. I have learned so much from all of you here.
karen

---------- Post Merged at 02:23 PM ----------

Hello,
What kind of medium should I use for Catt's? Right now both are in bark of some kind. What is best?
Thank you,
Karen

[78Terp]

Catts love lots of air to their roots and a good drying period between waterings. So a course mix will be best. The course mix does not pack tightly so it allows good air flow and drainage.

[kdennis14]

Thank you so much Harvey. I have some "special Orchid Mix" from better-gro, would that be ok? Or courser? Sometimes I feel so stupid when I ask all of these questions. BUT.......I love my Orchids and want to do the best for them. I am SO very much addicted to them. I am going to be sick if I lose one. I live in Central Florida and I just moved them outside on my Lanai under the big umbrella. It is so humid there. I have them protected from the direct sun. I will move them back inside when it gets cold.
Karen

[78Terp]

I am not familiar with ""special Orchid Mix" from better-gro". So I can't really answer the question. If it is for the young seedling, it may be ok.

[kdennis14]

Actually no, it is for Phals, etc...it says.

[Carolla]

I've had two different types of Better Gro for Phals, one has a lot of peat in it, which the peat absorbs water and doesn't hold up too well, its ok for Phals, not great. I have a Better Gro coarse bark for Phals and its a good coarse bark and would work great. The mixture with peat in it would benefit from the addition of more coarse bark.

[dlbush]

I always repot the little bag Catts right after I get them into 4 inch clay pots in coarse bark mix. Then I put them outside where they get morning sun abd dappled shade in the afternoon. I water them twice a week and fertilize weakly with high nitrogen fertilizer at almost every watering. Sometimes I'll spritz the surface roots and leaves when I water my vandas. They tend to grow new roots and root tips 2 weeks into this treatment in my climate and new pseudobulbs within 2 months. The 4 inch pots are a little big for them at this stage, but as long as you don't overwater you should be fine.