how to make a prettier plant

[NancyG]

I have a C.Pretty Pink Bc. Cynthia Lilac cattylea that just finished blooming for me for the first time in 4 years. It has a very pretty flower that is fragrant. It is in need of repotting and I'm looking for any suggestions. How to give it better form? do I tuck all the roots inside the container. Right now it is in s/h, half sun, getting worm tea once a week. Watering when necessary. I'm going to keep it in s/h but may move to clay pot since I'm having a hard time finding a larger plastic container. Also I had 3 blossoms developing nicely and then one just up and dried out. I have been deligent with the worm tea spray because my orchids seem to have trouble with thrips so why did two of them bloom and one dry up??? thanks for your help.

[patticake]

I don't have experiance with s/h, but I think you can gat larger plastic containers that food comes in. You could put the holes in the sides near the base, and then have the whole set up inside something more decorative. Just a thought. The plant is beautiful! Is it actually a cross? C. Pretty Pink x Bc. Cynthia Lilac? It's a gorgeous shade!. I repot mine with the roots tucked into the new pot. It wont be long before they're out and about again, though!

[PhalPal]

Nice looking Catt!!
When I repot, no matter what type of orchid, I try to get the roots into the new medium if I can. This would be especially important if you grow in S/H. Find a pot just big enough for the leads to fit over, giving you a better chance of potting the roots.
Soak the roots in water before you start and they will be more pliable. Be gentle; a healthy root outside of the medium is better than a broken one on the outside!

[nenella]

Very Pretty!
I am not an s/h Pro,... But seeing it is so happy in s/h maybe you could try and put a couple of the roots in the pot? (I believe cats are happier rootbound?) Also I would try and put those 'external' roots just a bit in so they don't touch the more moister parts of the PrimeAgra pellets..& they should slowly grow downwards into the wetter bit? leave them the time to adapt ?(the experts onS/H will hopefuly chime in) either they will end up rotting or adapt and you can then adapt the few roots you've 'left out' the pot depending on how It's gone.just my 2c worth... Please do keep us posted!

[jay]

It is good to re-pot plants, even if they are in S/H. I try to get to them each year so that I can trim roots that have died and put them in new containers. This is also a good time to clean out any algae that may have developed in the container.

When repotting, I try to get a pot that will contain all the roots. The aerial roots can be placed in the pot. Try to leave more room on the side that the plant is growing. Cattleya generally continue to grow in the same direction when they are still this young. That way you won't have as many roots or growths hanging over the edge.

When you take it out of the pot, you will find some roots that have died. This is normal, as long as it is not the majority of them. I just use a sterilized tool to cut them off. This will give the new roots a little more space to fill in.

Good luck with the repot, and finding a large enough container. I just use food storage containers or plastic bin containers for my large plants. I have one that I may put in a 1 gallon bucket next year.

[NancyG]

Some of the pseudo bulbs and the largest flower are hanging over the pot about 3". Is there a good way to move it closer to the rest of the plant? It is stiff and I don't want to break it.

[rcb]

Nancy, I'm not aware of any way to change the direction of a p'bulb that is already grown without breaking it. Some of my cats grow very neatly, upright, with short distances between the p'bulbs and some seem to ramble all over the place. I'm guessing this is mostly due to genetics of the plant as the different plants sit side by side. But also, where is the plant in relation to the sun? Are new growths reaching for the sun? You can try to arrange the plant with just starting new leads so their growth is more towards where you want them to grow.

[Plucky Purcell]

I found a great container that might work for you at my local HD. It's a 2.5 quart mixing bucket. You can find 'em in the paint area. It's 6.5" wide by 5.5" high. I got it to put a large Onc. Sharry Baby in, S/H style.

[NancyG]

I will have to go hunting for one of those. There are some on First Rays website which are very resonable. The shipping is the part that makes it unresonable.

[PhalPal]

Great suggestion Plucky! When I have an idea but don't know exactly what I am looking for I start going row by row at Home Depot. I cruise every single aisle even if I don't think that aisle will be helpful, and it's amazing what I find on these mystery aisles. I always seem to find something that will work for my hair-brained idea, like paint mixing jugs for S/H.

[hulaorchid]

What a big beauty!! I would just put it in a larger pot that has been altered for s/h! Like waht has been said above, any plastic container will work! It looks like it loves it!!!

[benetay]

pretty looking bloom! I go with all the suggestion.

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers!