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Originally Posted by jhy1  Please take a closed look at this plant, the body (I don't know the name) of the plant seems much taller than all the plants I ever seen. Is that a full grown keiki ? and the mother plant had one leaf left ? |
Yeah it doesn't look like any of your other Phals because it's not a Phal, it's a Cattleya hybrid. Cattleyas need only be repotted about every other year. The mix you use on a Cattleya is different than for a Phal.
For a Phal use a moisture retentive mix. Start wiht the usual bark and charcoal and add some peat or chopped sphagnum.
For a Cattleya, use a drier mix, usually just medium or large bark, charcoal, and perelite.
The culture of these plants is different too. Phals like to be kept evenly moist, Cattleyas like to dry out between watterings. Phals like indirect light while Cattleyas like brighter light.
If you have not already done so, go to
American Orchid Society and download their free culture sheets for Cattleyas and for Phals. Read them carefully and let us know if you have any questions.