I just got this delivered now, wanted to know why the roots look so small and how I would proceed to pot it. this is my first time buying an orchid. It was delivered with some moist dirt in a plastic bag and I have kept it that way for now.

by idly_sambar

12 Comments

  1. Defiant_Neck_136

    The leaves say Stanhopea to me, but not sure about the bulbs. No matter where you are the best source of info is [American Orchid Society](https://aos.org)

  2. HesitantlyCobbler

    How does the person you got it from not know what kind of orchid it is?

  3. If you bought it, what did you think you were getting?

    Agree not a cattleya. Maybe stanhopea or something I am less familiar with. Also agree AOS is the way to go for great guidance.

  4. Unlikely-Star-2696

    To me, this is cattleya. How was it listed by the seller?

    I would take the chance and pot it in separate pots so you have two independent plants.

    Get plastic pots with holes at the bottom and on the sides. Buy orchid potting bark and plant them there. Water them after potting, and don’t water again until bark is dry. Keep them in a place with good light but not direct sun.

    Eventually they will grow new roots.

  5. True_Jackfruit_5488

    Stanhopea possibly! Plant in a pot that has plenty of bottom holes to let a spike go through.

  6. helen_bug_lady

    Stanhopea (probably) or a coelogyne. Either way, similar care. Best in a basket with larger openings. The “layer cake” method works well: base of media that takes up room such as packing peanuts or large LECA. Chunky bark and large perlite mix. Then top layer of sphagnum moss (helps to indicate when watering is needed). Both genera like high humidity and regular watering (mine go in the shower with me every 4-7 days). I fertilize fairly often – at least once a week.

  7. Goodkoalie

    I have several stanhopeas and this really doesnt look like one (beyond the leaf shape). On a stanhopea, the bulb is very round and bulbous, and the leaf seems to come from the very top of the bulb, not off the side like it does here.

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