Common Knowledge on Repotting Cattleya
An introduction to the common knowledge of caring for Cattleya, specifically focusing on the general knowledge of repotting Cattleya. Detailed introduction is provided below.
Although repotting Cattleya at any time of the year is acceptable, due to the high temperatures in summer, there are some general common knowledge points that need to be taken into consideration.
About Regular Repotting:
1. Repotting Time: It is best to choose a sunny day with good air circulation, preferably after 4:00 PM. Repotting during the midday when temperatures are too high can easily damage the roots.
2. Potting Mix: The characteristics of summer are either high temperature and humidity, stuffiness, or high temperature and dryness. Or it could alternate between these two climates. Therefore, the potting mix should be more breathable and water-permeable. If you are using soil like me, it's best for the surface soil to dry within one or two days after watering the repotted plant thoroughly.
3. About Base Fertilizer: When repotting in summer, the application of base fertilizer must be moderate. Because when temperatures are too high (note, this refers to temperatures above 37 or 8 degrees Celsius), many Cattleyas may experience slow growth or temporary stagnation. If the base fertilizer is too concentrated at this time, it can easily cause fertilizer damage. It's better to add less base fertilizer and apply topdressing according to the growth of the Cattleya.
4. Watering: After repotting, make sure to water thoroughly. Since summer is still the growing season for most Cattleyas, as long as the plant is healthy when repotted, it can be placed directly in the original location of the Cattleya and managed normally.
5. Generally, no topdressing is applied within one month after repotting.
About Repotting Young Seedlings in Summer:
1. The timing is the same as above, preferably on a sunny day and in the evening.
2. It is advisable to choose a pot with a smaller diameter at the mouth but with an appropriate depth (not necessarily using a tall, orchid-shaped pot). This can prevent root damage due to high temperatures in summer.
3. After watering thoroughly, place the pot in a shady, well-ventilated, and dry area for 3-5 days, or even a week, before resuming normal care.
4. It's best not to apply base fertilizer when repotting young seedlings, as this helps the seedlings root and survive.
5. When the young seedlings sprout new buds after being repotted, it indicates that they have adapted to the new soil and survived, and topdressing can then be applied.
6. Since young seedlings have few roots and need time to adapt to the new potting mix environment, the size of the pot should be chosen to be smaller rather than larger. Especially during consecutive rainy days, it is important to control watering because the roots have weak water absorption capacity, and preventing root rot caused by water accumulation is the key to the survival of repotted young seedlings.
The above introduction to the common knowledge of repotting Cattleya (summer) is provided for your reference, hoping to bring a little help to your life!