Cattleya Moon Bells seedlings on orchiata medium

[Piao Liang]

I have received several seedlings in a flask and I decided to pot them in orchiata (smallest size). I didn't read the instructions first and I soaked the medium briefly. I read that you could have problems with the pH. Do you have to adjust the pH of the water when you water? Some people add dolomite but I don't know what this is or where to buy it.
How often should you water? The seller sent me one seedling in Pine rind fine about 75% Perlit about 5%
Charcoal 15% Cork 10%. He
fertilizes with ca 400-600 micosiemens but I don't know what this corresponds to and how often? He told me that in this medium, now in summer, he waters every day. How often should I water in orchiata?
I decided to put the seedlings in a mini green house but with the lid half open as I've had problems with root rot with the lid closed. I also had problems with sphagnum and root rot maybe because it is Cattleya and this is why I changed to orchiata.


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[wintergirl]

Right now they look soaked. I would let them dry a little but not completely. Every environment is different, watch the plants closely and moisten as needed but not as wet as you have them now. (In my opinion)

[Piao Liang]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

Right now they look soaked. I would let them dry a little but not completely. Every environment is different, watch the plants closely and moisten as needed but not as wet as you have them now. (In my opinion)

Thank you for your advice.


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[dounoharm]

hi! yes I think too wet....I would put small gravel in your trays and set the pots on that, which would help maintain steady moisture and humidity. I don't know where you are, so I don't know what environment you have to deal with. cattleyas like to be watered when dry, so don't wet them too much....drainage is essential!!

[Piao Liang]

I live in Marseilles.


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[Piao Liang]

Any advice on the pH of orchiata?


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---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------

I think I didn't explain my situation clearly. Previous to these seedlings I had other seedlings of the same species which I put into 100 % sphagnum in the small heated greenhouse. I realized that the roots were rotting. So I ordered more and I decided to put them into 100 % orchiata in the same heated small green house but with the lid half open. I guess the problem with sphagnum is because Cattleyas need drier conditions even if they are seedlings? I watered the sphagnum, let it dry and then water again but it seems that even this was too wet. In the pictures, the plants look soaked because I had just watered them.
I was looking for advice concerning watering in orchiata (the smallest size for seedlings) and specially the pH. I live in Marseilles and it is quite hot and dry in the summer. In the winter it gets colder but never too cold. It very rarely snows and I plan to keep the seedlings in the green house until they are grown, maybe one year?

[isurus79]

Orchiata works great for seedlings. Don't worry about the pH. Just let them get close to drying within a few days. The small grade bark often stays wet for long periods as well so be sure the check the center of the pot for moisture.

---------- Post added at 01:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 PM ----------

FYI- Packing spag really tightly into a pot helps it to dry more quickly. Loose spag stays wet much longer.

[Piao Liang]

Many thanks! Just to let you know: Ok, so in case this information might be useful, I measured the pH of the water coming out and it was 6.3 ! Instead of the original 7.4 from my water or from orchiata without soaking. So, I planted the orchids again in orchiata straight from the bag and I hope this time it will work! I still have questions concerning the frequency of watering and the fertilizer to use with this medium. I read it was better to use ammonia based rather than nitrate. Any brands you are using? What is the frequency of fertilizing and at what concentration?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Piao Liang

Ok, so in case this information might be useful, I measured the pH of the water coming out and it was 6.3 ! Instead of the original 7.4 from my water or from orchiata without soaking. So, I planted the orchids again in orchiata straight from the bag and I hope this time it will work!

pH of 6.3 is nearly perfect! Why would you change it??

Originally Posted by Piao Liang

I still have questions concerning the frequency of watering and the fertilizer to use with this medium. I read it was better to use ammonia based rather than nitrate. Any brands you are using? What is the frequency of fertilizing and at what concentration?

Orchiata doesn't require any special fertilizer. Use whatever you have on your shelf at the concentration (or less because most fertilizer instructions cause you to add too much fertilizer) listed on the bottle. No need to make things complicated!

Water when the media is dry and fertilize a few times per month.

[Piao Liang]

Thank you for your answers!!


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