Davek wrote:
You see pictures of orchids in the wild with extensive root systems; Cattleyas for example with roots extended several meters along the trunk and branches of the host tree.
My impression is that plants in the wild grow much more slowly than those in cultivation. When you see a large plant in the wild it may have taken 10 or 15 years to get to that size.
As far as the length of roots go, putting a plant in a pot limits what the roots can do. As the plant (and the pot) get bigger the roots (especially in the center part of the plant) can stay wet longer and get less oxygen. When Cattleyas get to specimen size they do better in a slatted basket with a very loose potting mix.
Personally I find that my Cattleyas (and just about everything else) do best with at least 150 ppm nitrogen, provided that they are flushed thoroughly to prevent salt build-up. Also, the more light the better (but don't burn the leaves). With modern HID lamps it is possible to provide plants with far more light than they get in the wild: long cloudless days.
Martin
_______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
