"Training" Catteya's to improve form and save space

[ckollmer]

A new story entry has been added:

"Training" Catteya's to improve form and save space

live in Southeastern PA and grow my plants indoors during the colder months. Because I have a manageable collection (my wife would argue about the term "managable"), I have adopted a few techniques that just about anyone can use to help save growing space and improve the growing form of your plants. Specifically I am referring to the cattleya alliance, but this could be applicable to other orchids with sympodial growth habit.



Materials needed: Raffia (from Michaels or other hobby store) [or coated wire if you prefer]; Bamboo skewers (from grocery store) [or bamboo or metal stake]; sterile (ie, new) razor blades or razor knife



When new growths are about 1/3-1/2 developed, I soak a length of raffia in soapy water or a weak physan solution (physan is a great surfactent); once softened up I will tie a knot around a stout pseudobulb adjacent to the new growth. I then loop the raffia around the emerging growth, tie a simple overhand knot (like tying your shoelace) and very slowly and carefully pull the raffia tighter until the emerging growth starts to straighted to a more verticle position. You need to be careful here - if the growth is too young, or if you pull too tight, you could break the growth. If you do this when you first obtain your plants, eventually you will end up with most of your p'bulbs and leaves rather perfectly upright. The limiting factor is the underlying growth habit of your plant, determined by its genetics. For example, I love the blooms of LC Marie's Song 'CTM 217'. However, the foliage is very sloppy and tends to "flop" over. For plants like this there is little you can do. But for plants with an inherently better growth habit, "training" new growths produces a neater looking plant and avoids having pseudobulbs sticking out at odd angles. You will be amazed at how much more growing space can be liberated by "training" plants like this. If you don't have a stout p'bulb to anchor your raffia, or if an existing mature p'bulb is not in the position you need, insert a bamboo skewer (or a more substantial stake if needed), tie a double overhand knot at the desired height, and use this as your "anchor" to pull the new growth into the desired direction. If, after the raffia dries out, you find that the knot you tied to the stake is loose and slides down, simply secure it in place with a bit of masking tape.

[Tindomul]

Very interesting. My question is, how do you keep the pseudobulbs from enveloping your wire. I use wire to pin my Bulbos to a soft background in my vivarium and after a year of growth I found the pbulb had grown around the wire, like a really fat man with a really tight belt, and gut comes out and covers it.

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Thanks for the article. I hope others will contribute.

My quick method is to use rubber bands for temporary ties. First I use larger bands and change to smaller ones or pinch off the big ones if needed to allow the pb.s to grow closer very gradually. The rubber bands move easily up and down on both sides as well. It is also easy to change the angle of the new growth by using another rubber band hooked on to another mature pseudobulb or stake as needed.

Sometimes I also use the common coated wire plant ties on the old pseudobulb or stake which is then tied to a rubber band on the tender young shoot. The plant tie could be gradually tightened as the shoot grows new cells so there is never too much tension on the new growth.



As you can see now this oncidium spike fits into its allowted space.

[ckollmer]

Tindomul: When training partially grown p'bulbs, I do not tie a knot, I simply loop the raffia/wire around the far side of the p'bulb. So it forms a "U" - it doesn't completely encircle the new pbulb. It is then tied off to either a stake or an established p'bulb that lies in the direction I want the p'bulb to grow towards. I have occassionally used rubber bands as Sun rm.N.E. describes and this is a great idea, especially if you have a good assortment of sizes [which I currently don't - but I think I will go to Staples and stock up!)

[moogiemama]

I use plastic coated wire most times, but with more delicate plants, will use strips cut from old knees highs or pantyhose. It is elastic and soft which is perfect for the plants. You can even find some cheap hose in colors which will blend nicely and not be quite so obvious.

[Gin]

Good info. I printed it .. Thanks ... Gin

[pixieStar]

Thank you. I am a a fairly new orchid grower, have been growing for about two years now (in which time my collection has expanded enormously) and I think this article was extremely helpful. I only have one windowsill that has enough light for cattleyas and it is at max capacity. I am going to pick up some raffia asap.

[Pamela52]

This was helpful for me today. Earlier I was trying to tie up bulb and gave up because I didn't know what to use. Rubberbands is a great idea. Thanks for tips!!

[amyqofu]

Moogiemama,
I also have found knee high stockings that have "run" are perfect for tying up the pbulbs, they are free and are less noticeable than many other tie-ups.
Re-use and recycle!

[dr_dmd]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with training Catts to grow the way you want - herding catts is not easy!! Cheers!