Ctna. Struggling

[janice]

I have a Ctna. which is in S/H. At the end of the summer she had developed some root rot. I cut off the dead and repotted back into the S/H. New roots started to develop but have not grown much....i.e. just above the S/H. Would it be beneficial to bag it???? My humidity is not that great inside this time of year. Any advice out there?????

[kmarch]

I find Cattleya alliance plants do well in ordinary large-chunk bark with some charcoal and perilite to keep the mix fresh and aireated (SP?). Watered such that they dry between waterings (probably about weekly in your area depending on your specific conditions), their roots can develop quickly and vigorously.

[articuno75]

If you can, take Kmarch's advice and use a bark mix. (Even Schulz Orchid Mix will work.) Then what I did is use a little spagh as a top dress near the areas of rhizomes to encourage new root growth. It's doing wonders for all of my divisions. All I have to do is mist the spagh when dry and then water once a week.

[Nancy]

I bought one of my Cattleytonia's potted in tree fern fiber. This is a fairly fast drying medium. I think your plant would like to be watered often but would like to dry out quickly. Also, Cattleytonia's enjoy a great deal of light, more than Cattleyas due to the light loving Broughtonia in the hybrid. I'd say, pot in bark in a clay pot and gradually expose the plant to higher light. Which Cattleytonia do you have?

[janice]

Nancy, I have a Ctna. Maui Maid 'December Bride' I do have some new root growth so I think she will make it....but the growth has been very slow and stayed above the S/H. I bagged it over the weekend????? As the new growth increases, I will go to a mixture....and increase the light. I have one other Ctna 'Why Not' that is mounted and it is doing well. Thanks for the help!

[kmarch]

I would not recommend bagging it. Bagging it will keep the humidity high and will not allow for any air flow. The result will be that whatever roots you have will stay wet. The lack of air flow will put the plant at risk for mold and rot. Since it has new root growth, you want those roots to get established n a good medium. Pot it up in a good bark mix, you may have to stake it if it doesn't have enough roots to stabalize it, and give it good cattleya culture. You'll have it back and growing in a few months.

[janice]

kmarsh, thanks so much - I will pull the bag and go to a mix........I am still learning!!!!!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by janice

kmarsh

Check the spelling of my name please.

Keep us posted on your progress and let us know if you have more questions.

Happy Growing!

[Nancy]

I believe these are hybrids that don't require as high humidity as others. They tend to grow like weeds. Follow Kmarch's advice and you should have no problem. I love them due to the ease of culture. Good luck with growing yours.

[janice]

Kmarch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry about the spelling!!! I noticed it as I HIT the send bottom and could not GRAB it back!!! Nancy, I am not sure I can grow weeds!!! Thanks!

[Nancy]

What temperatures, day and night are you growing your Cattleytonia? If you're keeping it cool that might explain the slow growth. I grow mine with 75 degree days and 65 degree nights. My roots grow well and very rapidly.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I think that the Broughtonia in this plant may make it a poor candidate for S/H. I seem to recall that Broughtonias do best mounted, so drying out fast may be a necessity for your plant. I find that using a clay pot speeds up the drying process no mater which mix you use, but S/H has fairly constant wetness in the pot, so probably causes rot in the roots and keeps them from entering the pellets. I have one friend that uses S/H on a couple of plants needing dryness, and she lets the pot dry really well before adding water again.

[janice]

My night temp. right now is probably 60 and days are max. to 75. I have gone to a clay pot with a medium that is a mixture. Because of my location, growth does seem very slow right now. The air movement which I increased has helped all my orchids.

[Nancy]

These plants like high light. If you don't have enough try supplementing it with flourescents. that's what I've done and it's working out well.