Would it be harmful to repot this cattleya?

[SakuraDrops]

Hello,

I purchased this cattleya a little over a month ago.
Due to the way it was crawling out the pot, I repotted it shortly after. It had moss at the top that I was afraid to remove, with large bark underneath. I kept the only top layer of moss, placing it in (new) large bark, a terracotta pot, with some perlite at the bottom. The pot only has one large hole at the bottom. I am really concerned about the roots now, after learning that they need plenty of air. In the comparison picture, I can see that it doesn't look as happy now...Should I wait to repot it?

The first photo is when I purchased it.
Second is recent.

Photos: Cattleya Repot Help - Album on Imgur

[estación seca]

Some people repot all orchids on arrival. I don't. Many struggle if repotted at the wrong time.

The time to repot Catts is when new roots are just forming. If repotted at other times the older roots will always have some damage from repotting. The plant may struggle to take up enough water until it forms new roots. That may be many months. I would not have repotted that plant until it again was forming new roots.

It's now potted too deeply. The rhizome, the horizontal stem, should not be buried or it may die. Unfortunately you need to repot it so the rhizome is exposed at the surface. Use a rhizome clip to keep it stable. A wobbly plant will not root well. You can search here on "rhizome clip" to see examples.

Layering materials in the pot decreases drainage. Use the same potting mixture throughout the pot, top to bottom. That vendor is in an extremely rainy climate. They use extra large bark so the plants have plenty of air at the roots despite being continuously wet. The moss grew on top spontaneously. When I receive plants from them I water every day until it's the proper time to repot.

[SakuraDrops]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Some people repot all orchids on arrival. I don't. Many struggle if repotted at the wrong time.

The time to repot Catts is when new roots are just forming. If repotted at other times the older roots will always have some damage from repotting. The plant may struggle to take up enough water until it forms new roots. That may be many months. I would not have repotted that plant until it again was forming new roots.

It's now potted too deeply. The rhizome, the horizontal stem, should not be buried or it may die. Unfortunately you need to repot it so the rhizome is exposed at the surface. Use a rhizome clip to keep it stable. A wobbly plant will not root well. You can search here on "rhizome clip" to see examples.

Layering materials in the pot decreases drainage. Use the same potting mixture throughout the pot, top to bottom. That vendor is in an extremely rainy climate. They use extra large bark so the plants have plenty of air at the roots despite being continuously wet. The moss grew on top spontaneously. When I receive plants from them I water every day until it's the proper time to repot.

Oh my goodness no! D:
I just ordered some rhizome clips, large bark and aerated pots coming in a few days. Should I take it out of the pot, water it, and just leave it on a tray until it comes? I don't want it to suffocate!


Edit: I took it out of the pot...since I have to repot it anyway...But not sure what to do now.
Pictures: Repot Mistake Cattleya - Album on Imgur

[estación seca]

Dip it in water every day, then stand it upright in an empty pot in your growing area.