Unlike ordinary orchids, this species requires very specific conditions to be successfully cultivated. Caring for cattleya orchids. Plants can be safeguarded against frost, even those more suited to warmer climates. In some cases, the roots emerge as the lead develops or the blooms open, repot after the new roots start to emerge even if this disrupts the bloom cycle. Source: Rogerson, William P., Cattleya Species and Their Culture. Pruning Plants are generally not pruned, however, flowers and the old flower stems can be removed after blooming. STEP 1: Like most orchids, cattleyas prefer to be pot bound rather than overpotted. For the visual guide on repotting monopodial orchids, such as, moth orchids (, Repotting Cattleya and Other Sympodial Orchids, Repotting Cattleya & Other Sympodial Orchids, Used pots should be cleaned, sterilized & dried, Purchase commercial potting medium designed for, Another pair of hands (optional but helpful), Pruners (sharp and sterilized between plants), Powdered cinnamon (optional, discussion follows), Appropriate sized pot (discussion follows), String or thin twine (preferably green) & scissors, 5 parts fir bark, medium grade (¼ to ½ inch chunks) (NOT landscape mulch). Repotting orchids gives them a new lease on life and this method can be used for most orchid groups, although the potting mix may vary slightly. Phalaenopsis orchids should be repotted about every two years or so. Vibrant Cattleya Bloom. We gently work the old mix out from around the roots. If you're not sure when your orchid was last repotted, and it seems to be growing out … First we gather together the supplies that we need. Before getting into the details, here is a brief summary of what you need to know about how to repot phalaenopsis orchids. STEP 3: A new cane can be recognised as a swelling at the base of the previous cane. When they appear for the first time, a thin sheath from the center of the leaf will also appear to protect every single one of the flowers. We reach down into the pot and tease the mix into the crevises between the roots. Instead, their specially evolved roots absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and debris caught around the base of the plant. It's important to know where to cut your Cattleya spike after it flowers.Cattleya anatomy is a little quirky and it is easy to make a mistake.The good news is that there's really just one bit that requires an introduction--the bud sheath.Once you are able to recognize a bud sheath, deadheading a Cattleya or its close relative Laelia is a snap. We also have an orchid care video on repotting a Cattleya. We pack the orchid mix quite tightly so that the plant will be firmly set in the pot. This is when the cattleya will most readily accept potting and will bounce back the most quickly from the trauma of potting. Once you have in your hands a specimen sized orchid, sooner or later, you will need to divide it. Feed with orchid fertiliser every two weeks. And if you have done this properly you would have one of the most beautiful species of orchids and at the same time one of the most … Loosely attach the label to the plant or insert it along the inside rim of the pot. Cattleya orchids need to be held securely in the pot. The best time to repot is in Spring or after flowering. Every time you mess with the roots, even the most vigorous orchid needs time and energy to recuperate They make lovely houseplants, but they can also live outside year-round in tropical climates and during the warmer months in areas that experience frost. Always use proprietary bark-based orchid compost, never a loam-based or standard multipurpose one as these will kill your orchid. When repotting, point this new cane so the plant will grow back towards the middle of the pot to best utilise space. The orchid is still adjusting to its new environment indoors. Join Our Newsletter Enter your email to receive our free monthly orchid care tips! Growing Medium and Fertilizer: Cattleya orchids require a well-drained mixture, such as coarse to medium coarse fir bark or tree bark chips and peat moss. How To Repot Phalaenopsis Orchids: The Basics. Here I had a Miltonidium Bartley Schwartz. A recommended repotting schedule is listed below; however, if you're not sure how long an orchid has been in its pot, examine the potting medium. Re-pot at the first sign of new roots. We … It will grow in all parts of Australia and is easy to propagate by division. orchids don’t like to be disturbed. STEP 1: Like most orchids, cattleyas prefer to be pot bound rather than overpotted. While they are tropical, most species of Cattleya live at higher elevation… Dividing orchids can be a scary thing, especially for orchid beginners. Here are …. This is because they don’t like their roots too wet. A great help in maintaining orchids is writing on the label the month and year of repotting. Unfortunately orchids are vastly different from many other plants and repotting an orchid while it is in bloom can lead to a world of problems. In addition, I see new root growth, so ordinarily I would repot. Re-blooming If Cattleyas don't re-bloom, it's generally a light level issue. The ideal time to repot the orchid is right after it finishes flowering, when you see new growth starting to appear. The plant should be at the top of the mixture, not buried in it. Orchids Explore Orchid Care Sale ... We will repot with fresh mix because we do not reuse old mix. We must take our time and gently tease the pieces of old mix away from the roots. You may repot a moth orchid or other orchid that does not produce pseudobulbs in early spring, when the plant has finished its winter flowering. The best time to do this is after the orchid has finished flowering, ideally shortly after new air roots emerge. This is because they don’t like their roots too … Cattleya Orchid blooms annually in the winter or late summer. This variety evolved in the rainforests of South America, growing along the trunks and branches of host trees in the humid canopy. This will generally occur anywhere from April to June in most plants. There are exceptions however. This is especially important in Cattleya Alliance plants as they are so hybridized. 4) Fill the pot with potting … The ideal time to repot an orchid is right after it finishes flowering, when it begins to produce new growth. Repotting: It’s best to repot cattleya orchids every two to three years. 2) Determine whether or not each aerial root needs to be inserted in the pot or remain on the outside. Vanda orchids are often grown without a potting mix, but if you do add a mix, use a coarse mix with 1-inch sized particles. needpix.com. For 'Unusual Growth Patterns' Cattleyas, repot as the new leads are … Whether your a gardening novice or veteran, we can keep you informed Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring on what to grow now. We also have an orchid care video on repotting a Cattleya. It will grow in all parts of Australia and is easy to propagate by division. The best time to do this is in spring once they’ve finished flowering explains expert Tinus Oberholzer of Plantae Orchids. This visual guide describes how to repot a sympodial orchid. STEP 4: Repot into Searles Orchid Mix, a specially designed mix for cattleya orchids for best results. Box 70 Kilcoy QLD 4515 Australia | PH: (07) 5422 3090 | FAX: (07) 5497 2287, This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, FREE eCookbook: Easy recipes for High Tea from the garden, Protecting gardens from drought or flooding in Australia, Mexican quinoa salad with lime chilli dressing, How to protect vegetables from chewing insects. Note: This ingredient is extremely important as it neutralizes fertilizer salts. Although still lovely, a plant without a label is valueless in the trade. Informative video on how to repot a Cattleya Orchid. Close menu. Monopodial orchids grow in height with each new leaf (like a palm tree); sympodial orchids spread horizontally from rhizomes (like bearded iris). Repot every two years regardless of whether the orchid has outgrown its pot, as older orchid compost breaks down, preventing air reaching the roots which leads to disease. FEEDING To promote healthy growth of your cattleyas, feed with Searles Flourish Orchid Booster and SeaMax Fish & Kelp regularly. Medium-sized particles of about ½-inch are great for many popularly cultivated orchids like phalaenopsis, oncidium, cattleya, and dendrobium. Hold the plant and roots up to … All plants should be labeled with the complete Latin name. Here we have a newly acquired cattleya that has just finished blooming and is ready for repotting. For most cattleyas, the time of repotting is not as important if media easily removed from the roots is used, and some growers repot throughout the year as time is available. In general, the flowers bloom in a period of one to three weeks during the season. We finish our repotting job by putting a new label in the pot. Repot Cattleya Orchids Mix up a sterilizing liquid which will be used sterilize your cutting instrument each time you trim an orchid, this is to stop any root borne disease/virus from transferring from one plant to another. orchids potting care culture growing. Knowing the Latin name of a plant can also help if problems or questions arise. If the bark chunks have turned from a light tan to a dark brown and the pieces are breaking down, the potting medium needs to … STEP 2: As they grow, cattleya canes (pseudobulbs) shoot up from a rhizome. Cattleya Orchid Care . Do NOT repot orchids when in bloom Sympodial orchid in need of repotting: When to repot The roots of this Brassolaeliocattleya orchid are stuck to the outer edge of the pot on one side. Cattleya orchids are not difficult to care for, and even beginners can find success with getting them to flower. Growing orchids such as the cattleya is said to be one of the most difficult tasks an orchid grower can get himself into. At that time, usually a week or so, repot the divisions in their new pots. repot immediately after they bloom in spring, summer and fall. Skip to content. It can also help to include the date that the plant bloomed. To repot an orchid with air roots, 1) soak the entire orchid for 10 to 30 minutes below the stem or rhizome before the repotting process to make the air roots malleable. In winter, water when the compost looks dry – it’s better to under- rather than overwater. As to when to repot. However, you don't need to repot your orchid every time this happens; rather it should be done no more frequently than every 18 - 24 months. Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer every other week during the plant’s active growth. 196-219. Determine whether it's time to repot. Contact Us Mailing Address: American Orchid Society PO Box 565477 Miami, FL 33256-5477 Only repot when the plant looks like it is about to fall over. T his pictorial clinic is an example of the repotting process for a Cattleya. Hi all, I recently purchased Lc White Spark "Panda" which has 2 sheaths but no buds in the sheaths yet. Tamp down the media firmly. Wait for the plant to finish flowering and start new root growth.