The question has been asked as to what to use and when to repot members of the Cattleya alliance.
Out here in Australia there are almost as many different mixes as there are members who grow them. However the most important thing to remember is that the roots must be allowed to dry out. You can use Bark pieces of various sizes,or a mix that could include stones or even perlite or you can tie them to a tree where they grow very easily. Dependent of course on the climatic conditions.
I grow probably about a thousand and mainly use processed bark mixed with stone at about 2 to 1 .The bark is mainly a pine bark as we can no longer obtain the redwood bark of olden times.
As to when to repot. I find that once a new growth starts and the new roots are showing at about 1/4" length seems to be the ideal time. However if they are showing spikes or sheaths at this time I tend to leave them until after flowering.
Otherwise I am clumsy enough to break the new flower buds off.
Hope that this is some help. If you have any specific queries pleas feel free to contact me either on or off the list.
Julie from Caracas says that the C.mossiae are running wild, so Julie, If I sent you some rope could you please catch a couple for me??
Cheers Max.
------------------------------
FIRST: What is the best growth medium to to use for these plants, and whyif you know why? We have been given conflicting advice ranging from, �You
must use Medium X, or Y, or Z� all the way to, �It really doesn�t matter at
all. Just use whatever they will grow in.� >
SECOND: When should we repot members of the Cattleya Alliance? This is a
two pronged question: �WHEN� in terms of how often, and �WHEN� in terms of
growth and how much crowding in the pot, escaped roots and all. I have been
told that Cattleyas like to be crowded in the pot. A
-- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.4 - Release Date: 3/27/2005
_______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
