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Need advice/guidance for my new, young catts: Cattleya Alaorii & C.… | The Orchid Oasis | Planta community

Chris J Tiger

Need advice/guidance for my new, young catts: Cattleya Alaorii & C. Walkeriana hybrid (Fantasia Aleluia x Tokyo - starter orchid) 1st two pics: Cattleya Alaorii … could I just pot this up w/fresh sphag moss? Last 2 pics: C. Walkeriana hybrid(Fantasia Aleluia x Tokyo - starter) … not sure if there are any new roots. Top w/fresh sphag moss? (I removed napkin packaging from being shipped) Both will be going into an indoor, mini greenhouse. Surrounded by north-facing windows w/Barina grow lights. Central Valley, California 75°F indoors

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4 comments

  1. MeasomerPi

    The sphagnum question is tough. Some people have good luck with it. Some don’t. I personally don’t like sphagnum in my cat’s pots. Stays way too wet in my growing space (indoors) and these guys like their roots to dry out quickly. I will topdress pots with sphagnum when they need some TLC. Seems to keep moisture around a little longer to help plump up the pseudobulbs without water logging the roots. Probably the most pertinent thing I can offer is if sphagnum has worked for you in the past with other cats, then it probably would work again. I would just watch like a hawk.

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    • Chris J Tiger

      Thx for your input. I’ve worked w/moss on young Phals & have been successful. My indoor environment is quite dry so moss helps w/moisture which is what some of my Phals prefer. I’m new to Catts. And since these are seedlings/very young, I think I’ll just leave them be until there’s any active growth. I plan to grow them in an indoor greenhouse to help give them the humidity I hear they like.

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    • MeasomerPi

      Sounds like a good plan! And super jealous about the greenhouse. Would love to have one but alas no room. But then again, blooming orchids in the headroom is lovely. Since you’re new to cats, just keep in mind they are not as thirsty as phals. Those big juicy pseudobulbs keep them happily hydrated for longer periods.

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    • Laura B

      I purchased a cattleya from an orchid show and it’s in small rocks and I think a small layer of packing peanuts at the bottom; it’s grown a new spike/leaf, so I’d say she’s pretty happy with that. All of my other orchids are in bark chips because I’ve never had luck with moss.

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