Baldan's Kaleidoscope roots growing out of pot holes

[LinhT]

Hi all,

I have a Baldan's Kaleidoscope that I repotted into a larger pot about 3 months ago. At that time it had about 30% room for growth in the new pot. Now, the surface of the medium is about 75% covered with new roots growing down into the bark mix, which is fine. However, I have 2 roots that have grown through the holes on the side of the pot and 5 more that are still inside but "looking" out of the holes.

The plant feels very solid in the pot and stuck to the medium. My question is, should I try to repot it in an even bigger pot now while I have a better chance of removing the roots from the pot or should I just let it do it's thing and hope for the best next year?

Thanks,
Tracy

[kiki-do]

Hi Tracy, If it were mine, I would repot it now. The only reason I think "now" is that it isn't spiking and less chance of damaging any new growth. It sounds like it's had quite a growth spurt all at once and really loved it's new space. Perhaps the same stuff only in a bigger pot.
I think it would be terribly difficult to dislodge if you let it take hold around those holes for another year.
Anyone else have an opinion?

[LinhT]

Thanks for the recommendation Kiki. I'm sorry I failed to mention that it is indeed in spike right now. After I cut the old spike off, it started a new one 2 weeks later. Now the spike is about 2 inches.

[kiki-do]

Oh! If you repot now, it probably will retard the growth a bit. If it were me, I still would repot now and save some struggles with it later on. It's a personal preference, I guess.

[caseydoll]

:iagree: Once those roots get stuck to the pot they are really hard to get unstuck. I think now would be the perfect time to repot.

[quiltergal]

Ditto here. That's one reason I don't really like those clay orchid pots. The holes are a little too big and the roots really attach themselves well to the insides. If you wait too long you won't be able to get it out of the pot without breaking the roots coming out of the holes. I'd move it now too. Try a nice clear plastic pot with small slits in the sides. You still get air to the roots but the roots have a harder time escaping.

[Ray]

I will add that you'll be better off breaking the current pot, rather than trying to pull the roots back thourgh the holes.

Immerse the pot in water for about 30 minutes before hand, use a dull table knife to poke down along the inside walls of the pot to detach the roots while they are still held in place by the medium (less breakage that way), the use a hammer to break the pot into pieces that can be easily removed.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Ray

I will add that you'll be better off breaking the current pot, rather than trying to pull the roots back thourgh the holes.

Immerse the pot in water for about 30 minutes before hand, use a dull table knife to poke down along the inside walls of the pot to detach the roots while they are still held in place by the medium (less breakage that way), the use a hammer to break the pot into pieces that can be easily removed.

That's one reason I prefer the cheaper clear plastic bots - I can cut them apart with snips and throw them away.

[justatypn]

Lin, Ray has some great advise, I know it will be hard to break such a pretty pot but sometimes it's necessary. I use clear plastic pots for my phal, they are nosy boogers and love to stretch there legs to the light. Enjoy your Baldwin, such a gorgeous bloom.

[LinhT]

Thanks for the info from everyone. I tried to soak and remove last night but there's one root that is practically welded to the hole. Guess I'll be sacrificing this pot and no more pretty pots for me from now on.