Cat roots won't grow down into medium - Page 2 - Orchid Board

SundayGardener · #11 02-19-2018, 10:25 AM

I started misting new roots on catts because if I didn't, the tips would brown and then stop growing.

I'm a total newbie. My catts are also potted in orchiata, with the bark size appropriate to the plant size. I also water sufficiently to douse the plants, then allow them to dry. There is plenty of air and space in the pots, which are plastic net pots, and they dry quickly. Yet I discovered extensive root rot below the bark this past weekend. It is frequently said that it is impossible to overwater an orchid potted in bark, but I continue to have rot problems. I only use brand new bark, and either the original pot the orchid came in or one the same size, so I don't think they were "drowning" in potting media. I prefer to use baskets or clear vented pots so I can visually detect problems.

My smaller catts came potted primarily in spaghnum moss, but I couldn't ensure that they would dry quickly enough so I put them in small chunk bark. Those I do mist. If nothing else, the new roots like the misting, and misting also controls the quantity of water.

I'm not trying to take over your thread with my own problems. I posted because my roots also wanted to stay above the bark, and my current conclusion is that there was something in the pot that the roots did not like. Too dry, too wet, not enough air, they just don't like bark? I will say that I have also considered mounts, first of all to be better able to see what is going on, and second of all because if I'm going to be misting then I'm already putting in the time and effort. But I don't have the humidity levels that I believe mounted orchids need to be happy.