cattleya and vanda orchid questions

[rwf]

2 small questions:

I have a young pot.love castle...it's growing a new p-buld but so far, no roots on the new one and not much good looking on the older ones...everything is green and good looking...but how do it get it to put out new roots? I'd hate to loose it.

I also have a vanda(name at home), that if been trying to grow in simi-h...
it's been growing some but is pushing it's self out, or tipping over(?)...is the clay s/h a poor idea for a vanda?

Thanks for your help - Rick

[cindiras]

I just started an expirement with an ascocenda. I took a 6 inch by 7 inch by 5 inch deep plastic basket with holes in the sides, and threaded the asco's roots out some of the holes, then filled around the plant with LECA. There is no water reservoir. but I hope the pellots will hold a bit of water when I dunk the basket in a bucket of water. I'll see how this works and let you know how it turns out. I think as long as the vanda roots will grow, they will push themselves up out of any pot, probably even up out of my baskets!

[rwf]

Interesting...thanks cindi...I didn't know that about vandas...this is my 1st and maybe my last vanda...I like catts better...maybe cause I'm starting to understand them better...anyway, I'm going to redo that vanda and get his root back down in the pot.

[cindiras]

Or drill holes in the pot for the roots to "escape".

[stefpix]

It is a pain to drill holes in a clay pot.
you ould get some coco liner basket and insert in a larger clay pot...

[Halloamey]

Rick dont worry about your Catt, if it is green and the pesudobulbs are plump. New growths completely mature using water and food drawn from the old pseudobulbs and roots, once their growth is mature they will put on new roots.

[rwf]

Thanks everyone...I can always count on you all for the information and help I need to get me through my orchid shortcommings.

Have a great day!

[ischel1]

Hey Rick, don't give up on the vanda. It will make it all worth the effort when it blooms. Of course that might not be for a couple of years. Just hang in there.