When to repot Cattleya?

[butterfly_muse]

Evening, everyone! I have acquired a few cattleya types in the last few months, and I was wondering when it's appropriate to repot them. I have normally only had phalaenopsis, which I automatically repot when I get them bc of them being in sphag.

The media in my Blc. Taeko Tamaki looks kind of..eh? It looks like it's breaking down slightly and could potentially be changed. It also looks like it has some salts building up on it despite the fact that I flush it thoroughly quite often. Or maybe it's just dust? I'm not sure.

In addition, I was watering my Lc. Fire Dance 'Patricia' this evening and I noticed that it looks like it's trying to climb out of its pot.

I also have an Eplc. Golden Sunburst. Which seems quite happy where its at and is probably the happiest orchid I've got in the house right now apart from a mini phal in my kitchen that is going insane with growth.

All of my cattleya types are throwing out new roots and the Eplc and Lc have quite tall new shoots (or whatever they're called?) in addition to their new roots. The Blc is pushing up a new shoot and some new roots, but it's quite slow and stunted in comparison to my other two. That one has been kind of weak and struggling since I got it, though. Maybe repotting will help?

I have been reading to repot them while they're growing, but that seems...odd? Just because I'm so used to waiting until AFTER blooming and stuff...Or do I need to wait until they bloom and then repot them, as is similar with phals traditionally? All of my guys are potted in bark, so...

Help!

[Brooke]

I repot Catts anytime but prefer to wait until I have new root growth. Last week I repotted a Catt with a big green sheath. This week it bloomed and it hasn't missed a beat.

I should point out you have plenty of room in the current pots but since I always repot every new plant, I would go ahead and put it into the media I preferred.

Brooke

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by brooke

I repot Catts anytime but prefer to wait until I have new root growth. Last week I repotted a Catt with a big green sheath. This week it bloomed and it hasn't missed a beat.

I should point out you have plenty of room in the current pots but since I always repot every new plant, I would go ahead and put it into the media I preferred.

Brooke

If they have enough room, I'll leave them be. I was mostly worried about the quality/newness of the media, especially in my Blc. Thanks!

[WhiteRabbit]

Ideal time to repot is when there is new root growth, but if you have concerns about the media, repotting regardless of root growth shouldn't harm the plant.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Ideal time to repot is when there is new root growth, but if you have concerns about the media, repotting regardless of root growth shouldn't harm the plant.

Alrighty. I'll at least repot my little one, his media looks a bit broken down. He could do for an upgrade. Is there anything I should know about covering/not covering the roots with media? I think I read somewhere that someone recommended to put the roots on top of the media and clip them?? Is that a thing? Cuz the rest of my guys are potted with their roots in the pot..

[WhiteRabbit]

The rhizome should be at the surface of the media. Slightly in the media is ok, but it shouldn't be buried. I wouldn't cut any good roots, especially on small (young) plants.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

The rhizome should be at the surface of the media. Slightly in the media is ok, but it shouldn't be buried. I wouldn't cut any good roots, especially on small (young) plants.

Alright, thank you!