Potting Cattleya Orchids

[SchoenorchisLover]

Hello All,

I was told that when potting cattleya orchids, a bit of the rhizome and roots should be exposed. I have potted this orchid several months ago, but I'm just wondering if I've done this correctly. Are too much of the roots/rhizome exposed? I don't want to desiccate the exposed roots.

Thank You!

[PaphMadMan]

It could be a bit deeper, rhizome just at the surface, partly in the media partly exposed. This isn't a problem if you water sufficiently, but go a bit deeper next time. The roots naturally are exposed to the air. With bark this coarse it will be almost impossible to overwater as long as you don't leave it standing in a puddle.

[SchoenorchisLover]

Okay! This pot also has holes along the side, so I find that the very bottom of the media dries out every 3 days or so. Should I be watering until the entire thing is dried out, or just the topmost layers? Or, is this not even an issue so long as it doesn't stand in a puddle (as you mentioned)? I feel like I've read conflicting information about this.

[PaphMadMan]

One thing watering advice doesn't always make clear - things like fine vs. coarse bark mix or plastic pot vs. clay vs. clay with holes can make a big difference. It isn't about a number of days of course, and it isn't just about when the last bit of moisture is noticeable. It is about a balance of providing enough moisture while maintaining aeration. With bark this coarse and a pot with holes in the side you are getting close to conditions like a plant in a wooden basket or even a mounted plant - aeration is close to maximum so the concern is more about enough moisture. If your plant isn't looking shriveled I'm sure it has been fine. It looks like you're about to have a round of new growth. As long as there is no puddle I think this plant could be watered more often, at least while it is in active growth and conditions are warm. If your winter conditions are cool with less light, then more caution in watering might be needed.

[SchoenorchisLover]

Okay, thank you, you have been a huge help! I have a humidifier near the orchids to maintain good moisture in the air. The leaves are a bit shriveled, and I increased watering about 3 months ago. I'm not sure if the shriveling heals itself or not. If so, it is a sogn I need to increase watering despite how wet the bark is.
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[JDT]

Kirk said it all, next time use a smaller size media. If it were me I would add a little more media around those roots, but at this point it is not anything that will cause damage.

[moniluhum]

From my ecperience and the look if your Catt. I agree with Jack that you should probably add more media. It all depends on the amount of lighting and humidity. If it were me I would put the plant in a clear plastic pot with medium to coarse bark.

[Aeronaut]

Cattylea roots have to dry fast, the smaller catts acclandia, schilliariana are cam plants they, transpire at night, in their habitat they get water from heavy fog just after dark and before sun comes up for most of the year, which means dry roots during the day, hope that helps also keeping the humidity over 60 percent helps with mounted plants with very little root cover, how they grow in nature
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[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hello All,

I was told that when potting cattleya orchids, a bit of the rhizome and roots should be exposed. I have potted this orchid several months ago, but I'm just wondering if I've done this correctly. Are too much of the roots/rhizome exposed? I don't want to desiccate the exposed roots.

Thank You!

Some great responses here. I just thought I would point you to a couple articles here in the forum too:

How to repot a cattleya orchid

Repotting a Large Cattleya - the wetfeet101b way

Cheers,
BD