more time and skill than with some of the other medias, we believe the long 
term results are more satisfactory. There are two types of osmundine; the black, 
stringy type that comes from the New Jersey-New York areas which is preferred 
by some growers because it lasts longer and drains and aerates more quickly, 
and there is a softer, yellow-brown type that comes from Florida. Being softer, 
it is easier to handle and holds moisture longer. This type is definitely preferred 
for seedlings. Many growers use a mixture of the two types for mature plants. 
In southern California there is a considerable use, among amateur growers par- 
ticularly, of a commercial compost known as E Z R Grow. For Cattleyas we favor 
yr 
this media for seedlings up to the 2%” pot size when we change to osmunda. 
POTTING 
Proper potting is of prime importance in Cattleya culture. Due to the complex 
breeding of many of our hybrids, it is difficult at times to determine when to 
repot; however, there are some general rules that can be applied to most plants. 
A plant is ready for repotting (1) when the new growth extends beyond the edge 
of the pot, the plant has flowered and the growth is starting to root, and (2) when 
the potting media has broken down or soured. Ordinarily a plant needs repotting 
every second year. The ideal time to repot is immediately after flowering, or if 
for any reason it cannot be done then, in the late winter or early spring before 
growth begins. Some growers wait until new eyes and new roots are beginning 
to show. This is common practice but requires more care and skill to avoid damage 
to the new roots. They are extremely brittle. Another set of conditions when re- 
potting is indicated is when the plant is growing over the edge of the pot but 
has not flowered and is starting to root. If the plant is repotted before flowering, 
the quality of the flowers on the repotted plant will not be as good as usual but 
all of the new roots will have the benefit of growing in the new media and the 
following flower crop will consequently improve. An alternate way to handle 
this type of plant is to firmly attach a chunk of peat to the outside of the pot, thus 
providing media for the new roots. Thus the plant will not be disturbed until 
after it has flowered. When repotting, it is general practice to allow space for two 
years growth in the new pot. The last growth can be over the side of the pot. 
There are cases when due to poor potting and over watering, the osmunda breaks 
down before the plant has grown to the edge of the pot. If this should happen, 
it is best to repot and restore the plant to fresh osmundine. 
A good general rule for seedlings is to allow for about three growths between 
repots. When repotting mature plants, the question of division is often asked. 
A good rule here is to allow three or four mature bulbs to the plant. Quite often 
it is good to have the plant consist of considerably more bulbs if the rhizome is 
short as is the case with some straight Cattleya hybrids. Avoid overpotting. It is 
difficult to keep the roots in good condition in seven and eight inch pots. Best 
results can be obtained if mature plants are divided so as to permit them to go 
into five, five and one-half, and six inch pots. 
Regarding the care of back bulbs, cut off the back portion of plants that are 
being potted into sections of two or three bulbs each. A satisfactory method of 
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