Right time but necessary?

[RoseSD]

Another seedling size Catt is happily growing a pup and new root. My question is if I should repot it or let it utilize the existing home this year?
I have a hard time determining if the existing barks are fresh or "used". No smell or fungi that I can see. What else should I be looking for?

[Roberta]

You want to anticipate what that new growth will do when it is full-sized. It is quite close to the edge of the pot, so that when it is full-sized, it is very likely to be pressing against the side or climbing out. If it were my plant, I would repot. You can probably use the same pot if it is well-drained. (I like the kind that has a sort of "mesh" in the bottom rather than just a few holes, but depends on what you have). The plant can be repositioned, with the old part of the plant against one side rather than in the middle of the pot. If you orient it so that it's on the diagonal (oldest p-bulb in one corner, the new one pointed toward the middle) you maximize the growing space. It will give you a chance to see what the medium looks like. But if it is what it came in when you bought it, probably needs replacing anyway unless the plant came from Sunset Valley Orchids, and that doesn't look like their bark.

[isurus79]

I like to repot when the new growth is outside the pot and starting new roots. To me, I'd leave the plant for this growth and repot on the next one.

Roberta's approach is certainly valid though! I think it's a matter of personal preference.

[RoseSD]

Thanks!
I also find it curious that the root is growing in parallel to the new pup. I thought new roots usually grow "under" that new growth to support it? Or maybe that is specific to oncidium type orchids?

[Roberta]

I'm not sure what you mean by "growing in parallel to new pup"... it's growing quite normally for a cattleya. That is what they do. (You can learn a lot by just observing your plants... then you know what to expect from other plants of that type)