I've come to the conclusion that more growth characteristics need to
be given for orchids. Waah! The cattleya hybrids that are now being
repotted range in growth from 360 degree fan with horizontal leaves,
to nice level pseudobulbs that the leaves grow straight up (my
favorites now). Maybe in the past I waited too long to stake the
plants, but the ones that like the horizontal leaves hate being
staked. The canes were weaker after being staked and have a tendancy
to try and twist, which causes them to bend down. Is there a better
technique than a stake and wire tie?

One of my orchids, the tag only identifies it as 'Spring Tide', has
nice upright growth, divides freely, and blooms reliably. Don't have
a clue as to the parentage, none of the searches have netted anything.
I've assumed Cattleya something. It is monofoliate, blooms twice a
year, spring and autumn, the blooms are sort dusty pink color (mauve
sounds more sophisticated). Will post pics when it blooms this time.
If anyone has any info I'd appreciate it.

The person at the orchid society said he'd bought the original plant
roughly 40 years ago in Hawaii (closer to 45 or 50 years). This
orchid is perfect for beginners. I've had it 4 or 5 years, and potted
it up twice. Last summer the pot it was in fell and broke, I divided
the plant into 4 pots, all had leading growth, and the sheathes on the
plant continued to develop and bloom (after the unfortunate accident),
the new growth also had blooms. It never missed a beat. Today I
probably would not buy without more information on the tag, but I was
a real novice then and tags didn't seem as important. On the other
hand, most of my original orchids were mysteries, have survived (the
dog, the moves, my care) and bloomed the same lovely blooms that made
me buy them in the first place.

The potting is going well. The mix is prepared at night after I
return from the hospital visiting Mom, I have time to repot 4 or 5
plants in the morning before returning to the hospital. DH has been
dogging me, asking me at this rate whether I'll be finished by the new
millenium. On a break right now, enough mix for one more orchid, then
time to leave for the day.

Have a nice day.

Nancy