can i repot an Brand new orchid?

[H.D]

holo all!
i will be getting a new orchid today. according to the site , it is potted in coconut husk. Mind you, not chips of coconut husk but LITERAL Husk. like only 2 huge pieces, with the orchid sandwhiched in between.

i HATE this style of potting. these nurseries dont even remove the moss plug before wrapping the root ball in husk. i have a den. bullenianum which i recieved in this setup. when it started to shrivel, i ripped decided to repot it. as the husk is just one single piece, the roots are stuck in there, and i have to prise the roots while destroying the decayed coconut.

HOWEVER, the worst was yet to come. when i reachedthe moss, there were LITERAL ORANGE BALLS growing in that hellish sludge of moss. i ran and got gloves, removed the balls, medium, and dunked the whole thing in 3% h2o2.

i dont want to repeat this experiance. this orchid is a cattleya, so i think the roots are robust.

i use coconut chips all the time. the fact that it is chips, allows much air flow and in my experiance, the roots dont PENETRATE the medium. but i hate huge hunks of coconut.

can i safely repot the orchid?

[Ray]

Yes.

If the plant is not currently growing new root nubs from the base, you may have to “baby” it a bit until it starts growing new roots.

[H.D]

thanks ray!

the orchid arrived and the state is worse than i anticipated.
the top is covered in live moss. i saw one snail baby. it smells like a bog. the roots on the outside are a bit dessicated.
HOWEVER, it does have one baby growth. so i will repot it within 3 days . i have isolated it, and put it over a humidity tray for acclimation.

[estación seca]

Cattleyas are very strong growing plants if they get the right light, temperatures, relative humidity and water. Live moss isn't a problem so long as the roots are well aerated. Many Cattleyas in nature grow with a lot of moss around their roots.

Snails can be killed with strong coffee. Search OB from the top menu on "coffee" to find detailed instructions.