Catt potting medium

[Josiah]

I have two rescue Catts that are in pretty sorry shape. I removed dead roots and potted back into their original medium, but I am planning on repotting into a perlite/sphagnum mix, as these are the materials I have on hand, they seem appropriate from what I've read, and last but not least, I don't have any money to be buying anything else right now. The question is, what ratio should I use of perlite to sphagnum? I have heard of people growing catts on straight perlite, but I more commonly hear of perlite with at least some amount of sphagnum. Any catt growers want to help me out with the ratio?

Thanks

Josiah

[jsehorn]

I only use sphagnum for trying to initiate new growth on Catt backbulbs and rootless back divisions. It holds moisture longer, which is helpful for new roots, which might be good since the plants you have are kind of in bad shape, but I wouldn't suggest it for long-term growth. However, if it's all you've got, then it's all you've got.

I use a mixture of about 50/50 sphagnum/perlite for my Nepenthes, and they like that, but Nepenthes like to stay damp to wet, while Catts like to get a little dry between waterings, but I suppose you could just adjust your watering frequency accordingly. Growing in straight perlite sounds like a bad idea to me, just from a mechanical standpoint. Perlite is super light, and Catts can get pretty top heavy, so it seems like it'd be kinda hard to keep one in the pot, especially if the root system isn't in good shape.

My favorite source for Catts sends me small plants (4 inch pots and smaller) in straight Sphagnum, but anything bigger than 4 inches is in straight Stalite (inert, free-draining, fast-drying medium). I know I don't do well with plants growing in sphagnum, so I repot anything that comes that way immediately.

My suggestion would be half perlite, half sphagnum, but be sure and don't pack it too tightly, don't water too frequently, and repot into something with better drainage as soon as you start to see new growth.

[Leafmite]

I use lava rock. It is very cheap ($6 buys a huge bag) and my orchids really love it. If these Cattleyas are noID, I'd especially want to use something that dries quickly. (Catt aclandaie is one that needs to stay on the dry side.). Ultimately, the medium you use depends on your conditions. Light, temp, humidity, air movement, type of pot, amount of roots, rate of plant growth, and the preferences of the orchid will all have an effect on what will work best for you. Good luck!
Leafmite