repotting Cattleya-too late in the growth cycle?

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Hi:
This Cattleya needs a major repot- there is no soil mix left-just roots. Is it too late in the growth cycle to repot? See the new growth.
Thanks

[Bayard]

Wait until you see root tips coming from the newest growth.

[rbarata]

The key moment to repot Catts is not the new growth but the new roots instead. Depending on the species/hybrid, they grow new roots before, during or after the new growth appear.

Read this.

[estación seca]

When you do see roots just beginning to emerge and you are ready to repot - just pull the plant out of the old pot, VERY gently shake it to let a few chunks of loose bark fall, gently set it into the new pot, and fill around the old root ball with new medium. Don't try to remove the old medium.

[Leafmite]

Upon closer inspection, I do not think that the Cattleya is in desperate need of new medium and I would wait until there is new growth, new roots. I have gotten Cattleyas in medium that was very bad condition that I knew would kill the roots quickly in my conditions and had no choice but to remove the medium but this doesn't seem to be the case. And, if you are going to use bark and plastic pots, it probably isn't a good idea to pot at the wrong time. I use rock and basket pots so the rules can be a little different.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

leafmite- I am curious. When you say "rock and basket pots" what do you mean exactly? Can you post a picture? Are you talking about sponge rock?
Also to all who replied- Thank you. I love to aquire new knowledge so thanks for teaching me.
As for the media, there is none. The roots have completely engulfed the pot. That's what worrysome. I see lots of new roots, its just hard to photograph.

[Leafmite]

This is a terrible picture but I thought you might get the idea. I grow my Cattleyas and Angraecums in red lava rock and basket pots. I have been using this combination for many years so I know how it works.

I have often had to pot up Cattleyas in new medium at the worst time due to deteriorated potting medium and it can be done, even with the fussiest of Cattleyas. I do not recommend it unless it is absolutely necessary but I have never had a problem.

Here is how you do it.
1) Place the orchid's pot in distilled or rain water and soak for at least an hour. This softens the bark and makes the roots more pliable.

2) Gently squeeze the plastic pot all around to loosen the roots that cling to it. Then turn the pot upside down, holding your hand over the pot and gently tap and shake to see if it will come out. If the roots are still clinging and squeezing the pot doesn't work, a butter knife might be necessary to nudge the roots off of the plastic. Once you get the orchid/roots and medium out of the pot, then take your time gently removing the bark from the roots, trying to do as little damage as possible.

3) Rinse the roots well. Set the entire root ball in the new pot, no medium. Leave it like this for a few days, spraying the roots each day to keep them hydrated. This gives the roots a chance to heal and will prevent them from infection.

4) Pot up the orchid in nice, large, dry medium to allow plenty of air to get to the roots. Do not water the first day after potting it. When potting it, gently place the medium around the roots, tapping the pot on a hard surface to settle the medium. If the Cattleya is a tall one, you might need to wire/stake it so that it doesn't wiggle.

5) Water the orchid well the next day and then set where it will continue growing. If you need to move it, be very careful. The less the roots are disturbed until they are well established, the better.

6) If you are potting up a very fussy Cattleya (aclandiae, dowiana, etc.) the larger the rock and the more the roots are exposed to air, the better. I sometimes leave the pot half empty with the roots spread over the rock and then add more rock once the roots have happily grown into the medium.

[Fairorchids]

Full disclosure: I grow in a greenhouse with close to optimal conditions.

With the sole exception of one species (Cattleya amethystoglossa), I repot Cattleyas at any stage of the growth cycle - with the criteria being that the plant:
A. Should be divided
B. Needs a larger pot

I generally repot plants in my private collection immediately after blooming. On occasion, if a plant is 'off-cycle', but climbing out of the pot, I might do a pot-in-pot upsize (photo).

When I get mature plants in from HI, I usually repot immediately, since the Hawaiian mix is too coarse for my conditions (and the mix is often in poor condition).

When I get small seedlings/meristems in, I repot immediately into 3" slotted plastic pots with my seedling mix. Then, as the individual plants outgrow that pot, I move them into 4" or 5" pots (either plastic or clay).

I only clean off the old mix, if it is deteriorating. In most cases, when the plant has been in the pot for only 12-24 months, the old mix is fine. Then, I simply place the plant in the new pot, and fill in with fresh mix.

I try to select the new pot, so it has room for 18-24 months of growths, but am often too conservative, so I may have to repot again in little over a year. However, it is critical not to overpot, as this usually sets the plant back.

I find that with careful handling, and minimal disturbance of the roots, the plants will happily accept the transfer to a new container at any time.

[Leafmite]

Exactly. The key is to take good care of the roots. I have less than optimal conditions so I need to do a little more work to keep those roots healthy during the process and after but as long as I do, the orchid is fine.

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Thanks all!! And I am jealous of the greenhouse. I am pondering purchasing a small 3 season greenhouse (they're not that expensive) but that's in the future. Very complicated and I am not at that level yet.
Anyway,
Thanks for the feedback.