In blooms and repotting?

[Lady Tottington]

Hi all! I have wondered this for a while, but why is it best to repot after an orchid is done blooming? Is it always a rule, or when is the exception to it?

Thanks friends!

[WhiteRabbit]

General 'rule of thumb' is to repot when there is new growth. New growth usually starts after buds have opened. In bloom isn't the best time to repot if you want to ensure not losing blooms, so after blooming is a good time
I have repotted new plants that haven't started new growth and havent' noticed any problems

[RosieC]

If you need to repot an orchid because you are worried about it (for example if you are concerned the medium is broken down and causing root rot) then do it any time.

I also repot simply when I have time to do it, sometimes I intend to do them when I see growth then realise months later I've not done it.

I've never noticed a problem, but a greneral good root is when it has just started new growth.

[Lady Tottington]

Thank you both! Perfect!

[Gin]

The other day I was watering and out poured ants from a pot they must of found a dry area .
It is a big Catt. in sheath not out of the pot except for roots stuck to the outside and inside of the pot lots of them . I did not want to rip it out of the pot tearing up the stuck roots . I took it outside set it in a tub of water to soak got rid of the bark and crud from the pot made sure ants were gone , removed 2 old pseudo bulbs re positioned the plant then put in new bark . I call it no un pot re pot .

[Cym Ladye]

<<The other day I was watering and out poured ants from a pot they must of found a dry area .
It is a big Catt.>>

Gin,

A slight digression here: Another way to rid a pot of ants is to first purchase some ant powder insecticide, then spread a sheet of paper outside and sprinkle powder on the paper. Next put the pot on the powder on the paper and sprinkle powder liberally in the top of the pot. "Bounce" the pot gently on the paper and walk away for an hour or so. Come back and "bounce" it again. After several times doing this and then letting it sit for 24 hours, the ants should be gone. You can completely flush the pot and then restore it to its original spot in greenhouse or home.

CL

[Gin]

Good idea thanks , this one had mushy bark I wanted rid of it .It is not the way I normally re pot the others .

[Jerry Delaney]

It depends what parents are use in Catt crosses as to potting. Many say to pot when you see new growth and for lots of Catt hybrids, this means that the new growth may flower with few functional roots to support the blooms. Many of the hybrids will put out a new growth, bloom and THEN initiate new root growth. Ray has always said to wait until you see new ROOT growth before repotting and his advice is just as true when using organic mixes.