Repotting advice for a newbie

[OrchidThief79]

Hello. I'm new to this board and new to orchids generally, so I'd appreciate any advice.
I recently bought a Laeliocattleya at a local nursery, and the plant has seriously overgrown its plastic pot.
It appears to have grown out of two sides of the pot, with lots of roots, some dry, some new, growing freely. So my question is: how should I repot this rambler? I was considering dividing it in half. If I did that, could I put both divisions in the same pot or should I use two? Or maybe leave it intact in one wide pot? I prefer pots over mounts or baskets, but I'm open to other ideas. Also, I thought sympodial orchids generally grew in one direction on the rhizome, but this one seems to be growing in several directions. Why? Thanks!!

[beanluc]

Hello!

I don't recommend dividing it - especially if you're going to put it all in one pot anyway!

It's true, the rhizome grows in one direction(away from old growth), however, forks and branches can develop so that there's more than one new-growth lead.

I'd re-pot as follows:
First think about the medium. I have one Lc. in a mix of equal parts fine bark, perlite, and sphag. You might have a diffeerent mix oreference or you might find soecific recommendations.

Also choose the right pot. It really won't need to be very much bigger than the current one. If you use one that's too big, it might take a long time for the plant to "get happy" in it, enough to want to flower. And roots are still going to grow out the top of the new pot too - you don't want to expect them to all be contained inside.

Once you get your medium all ready, water the plant well, possibly including a dose of KLN, Liquinox Start, or any other root/transplant solution, if you have it. When the plant is good and wet, take it out of its pot.

Gently clean all the old medium off the plant's roots until it's bare. If it's stuck, doing it under water can help loosen things so you can get the old medium all off without battering the roots too much.

In the new pot, start putting in the medium and the plant. The idea is to try to keep the above-ground part of the plant above ground, and only bury the former below-ground roots into the new medium. Don't stuff the plant down and cover it with medium - but also be sure it's just as deep as it was before. Most or all of the white, dry aerial roots will still be above the medium when you're done.

I often use rubber bands to secure the new stuff in the new pot for a few months. It all can be a little wobbly at first, before it's grown in and the medium has settled. See the three pictures at the bottom of beanluc Gallery - Orchid Board Galleries to see how this works.

Good luck!

[BobInBonita]

Agree with most and disagree with some (as usual).

Agreements - Don't divide unless you want two. The roots, their depth, etc.

The possible disagreement - choose your media for your conditions. I'd be careful if growing outside in HI with a mix that contains much sphagnum. Could hold too much water with frequent rains (depending on where you are exactly).

The elaboration - try a gently spray to remove old media. Maybe it's my clumsy hands, but I find it breaks fewer roots than my fingers (even underwater).

Thank you beanluc for the rubber band idea - so simple but I've never thought or tried it.

[Royal]

That looks like the perfect plant for a mount! Great roots and growth in every direction. Those roots obviously don't need a pot.

Of course, it's up to you. I prefer pots too. I try to grow my plants as big as possible so I resist the urge to divide.

Heed the advice about watering the plant before repotting. A thorough drench will make the roots more flexible and help avoid too much damage.

[Lady Tottington]

what a lovely find! I wish I had a local nursery like you do!

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by beanluc

Hello!

I don't recommend dividing it - especially if you're going to put it all in one pot anyway!

It's true, the rhizome grows in one direction(away from old growth), however, forks and branches can develop so that there's more than one new-growth lead.

I'd re-pot as follows:
First think about the medium. I have one Lc. in a mix of equal parts fine bark, perlite, and sphag. You might have a diffeerent mix oreference or you might find soecific recommendations.

Also choose the right pot. It really won't need to be very much bigger than the current one. If you use one that's too big, it might take a long time for the plant to "get happy" in it, enough to want to flower. And roots are still going to grow out the top of the new pot too - you don't want to expect them to all be contained inside.

Once you get your medium all ready, water the plant well, possibly including a dose of KLN, Liquinox Start, or any other root/transplant solution, if you have it. When the plant is good and wet, take it out of its pot.

Gently clean all the old medium off the plant's roots until it's bare. If it's stuck, doing it under water can help loosen things so you can get the old medium all off without battering the roots too much.

In the new pot, start putting in the medium and the plant. The idea is to try to keep the above-ground part of the plant above ground, and only bury the former below-ground roots into the new medium. Don't stuff the plant down and cover it with medium - but also be sure it's just as deep as it was before. Most or all of the white, dry aerial roots will still be above the medium when you're done.

I often use rubber bands to secure the new stuff in the new pot for a few months. It all can be a little wobbly at first, before it's grown in and the medium has settled. See the three pictures at the bottom of beanluc Gallery - Orchid Board Galleries to see how this works.

Good luck!

What a great idea! With the rubber bands!!!! I usually just use some bonsai wire, but this will be alot cheaper. Thanks alot


I agree with bob. Choose a media to suite your growing environment.

When you repot, cut off all the dead roots


You can call me Bob

[OrchidThief79]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm glad I asked because I was about to take a knife to it!  Now to find a suitable pot... its odd how most orchid pots are cylindrical or cubic when the natural habit of orchids is linear growth. They should be rectangular!

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by OrchidThief79

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm glad I asked because I was about to take a knife to it!  Now to find a suitable pot... its odd how most orchid pots are cylindrical or cubic when the natural habit of orchids is linear growth. They should be rectangular!

Or at least short and wide. Instead of tall and skinny. It hard to find a wide enough pot for a Catt. Specially one with root rot!!

Good luck


You can call me Bob

[tucker85]

There are a few good videos on youtube showing how to repot orchids of different types. Some were even made by AOS. It's just one more resource to consider. Your orchid is short and will be easy to secure in the pot. But for taller orchids I prefer rhizome clips (pot clip).

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by tucker85

There are a few good videos on youtube showing how to repot orchids of different types. Some were even made by AOS. It's just one more resource to consider. Your orchid is short and will be easy to secure in the pot. But for taller orchids I prefer rhizome clips (pot clip).

Repotme.com has some good videos as well

Where do you get rhizome clips?


You can call me Bob