Medium for sick catt?

[RebelCowgirl]

I need some advice about which medium I should use for my sick C. bowringiana var. coreulea. Here is my post about it back in July I Need Help.
Shortly after that it lost all of its roots. I put it in sphrag and bag for awhile but didn't seem to help so now it is just sitting on top of some sphrag inside my grow tent. About two weeks ago I noticed it has about 4 little nubs Oh I am soooooo excited because this orchid is very special to me, my husband bought it for me on his last deployment.......He is on another deployment now and I miss him like CRAZY and I also just realized it is awarded!!!! HCC/AOS, I can't remember what that means.
Anyway I need to tell you I am a chronic overwaterer, that is why this orchid is in the shape it is in, so any suggestions on the medium? Should I switch it now or wait till it gets roots?

[Ray]

Jenny, there is no "magic" medium to help recover from the abuse it has seen. Instead, you want to encourage new root formation while preventing desiccation.

In your shoes, I'd do the following:

• Pot it up in whatever medium you will ultimately be growing in, and water it in well.
• Put it on a heating mat.
• Invert a plastic bag over it to simulate a greenhouse.
• Keep it in a shady - not dark - location.

[RebelCowgirl]

Originally Posted by Ray

Jenny, there is no "magic" medium to help recover from the abuse it has seen. Instead, you want to encourage new root formation while preventing desiccation.

In your shoes, I'd do the following:

• Pot it up in whatever medium you will ultimately be growing in, and water it in well.
• Put it on a heating mat.
• Invert a plastic bag over it to simulate a greenhouse.
• Keep it in a shady - not dark - location.

The humidity in my tent is around 75-80, and it is the furthest away from the light. Would I still need to put the plastic bag over it? As for the medium what would you recommend for an overwaterer? I think my catt in finally on the mend I just don't want my watering tendencies to get it in this condition again, so in all actuality I would a medium that would help me not so much the orchid. I have been doing alot better with watering but this orchid is really special I just want to be extra careful with it.

[Leafmite]

For the chronic over-waterer: plastic net pots and the largest lava rock pieces possible. Or chunks of styrofoam and large lava rock in a net pot. These two set ups will dry quickly. Or, you can mount it on a rock (which won't decay). Or wood if you like prying roots off. Hope that helps.
Leafmite

[orchidaddict789]

About two months ago I received a haul of catts potted in dense sphag, and the roots ranged from "sort of okay" to downright nonexistent. I repotted them all, potted them in fir bark, placed them near a south windowsill, and now they all have roots. I did water them with KLN, a rooting hormone, every watering.

I know the choice of medium depends on each person's growing conditions. Fir bark just happens to be my choice medium. I have never had much success with sphag and bag, unless it was a very dessicated phal. Some of the catts I repotted are showing dessication in the older leaves and bulbs. I wish I could use bag around them to up the humidity, but I'm battling serious rot issues right now and I have to keep the air going around each plant.

By the way, HCC/AOS is the Highly Commended Certificate by the American Orchid Society, scoring between 75-79 points, inclusive.

[Miranda321]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

For the chronic over-waterer: plastic net pots and the largest lava rock pieces possible. Or chunks of styrofoam and large lava rock in a net pot. These two set ups will dry quickly. Or, you can mount it on a rock (which won't decay). Or wood if you like prying roots off. Hope that helps.
Leafmite

Is the lava rock that you use the stuff that is sold to use with your gas grill, or is there a horticultural lava rock?

[rcb]

Miranda, I'm not sure if there is a difference between them, but I know the big bag you find in the outside section is cheaper then the stuff sold for grills.

I use it also in some things. Although I've found that lava rock does hold water longer than LECA, when both are in net pots.

As for the overwatering problem, wouldn't it just make sense to water less? I mean if you know you are watering too much, just water half as often and see how that works. That would be the simplest way to fix it.

[RebelCowgirl]

Originally Posted by rcb

Miranda, I'm not sure if there is a difference between them, but I know the big bag you find in the outside section is cheaper then the stuff sold for grills.

I use it also in some things. Although I've found that lava rock does hold water longer than LECA, when both are in net pots.

As for the overwatering problem, wouldn't it just make sense to water less? I mean if you know you are watering too much, just water half as often and see how that works. That would be the simplest way to fix it.

I realize that I need to water less and I am working on suppressing the urge to water, however I start second guessing myself and that leads to me overwatering. I was simply asking advice on a medium that will be a little forgiving and will help me and my catt when I do overwater.

[Fishmom]

Have you tried the bamboo skewer trick to gauge the need for water of your plants? It will let you fuss over them, checking the skewers, without adding water.

Skewer use for watering of orchids