Favorite Cattleya Mix

[khill]

Hi Jkelee--

I water maybe once a week or so in the middle of winter--our dry season. Especially when we are having the cooler Florida temps.

Otherwise, I water twice a week or let the rain take care of it. Catts really like to dry out as much as possible before the next watering.

[Weebl]

Medium (1/2"-1") granite chunks. Ever since receiving my first L. anceps in this medium, I tried a few others and it works fantastic..

[Dekejis]

I've been experimenting with a few different things, but I've had very good luck so far with using diatomite in my mixes. I've been doing som repotting this spring and many of the plants are going into clear pots with styrofoam peanuts at the bottom and a 60/40 diatomite/aged bark mix. I'd like to eventially find something inorganic that I can use to replace the bark, but i am sure more experimentation will ensue.. heh.
I've also got some plants I've just started in S/H and one that's actually now starting to put roots into the mix so I am excited to see how well that does. The prime agra looks like it would make for a great regular catt media too.
My thing this spring, however, is putting things in baskets. I am trying to refrain from going overboard with this, but I love the idea of orchids in baskets. I just stuck a bunch of plants into baskets with lava, cork, coconut and diatomite and I'm gleefully watching the roots grow!