Should I wait until spring to repot?

[Bulbofett]

I have this oncidium I bought a few weeks ago, and I feel bad for the poor thing sitting in this gross sphagnum. I'd like to repot it into some bark like my other oncidium, but don't want to stress it out too much since its winter.

It has 2 new growths as you can see in the picture (other growth is just peeking above the pot there). Would repotting now be a good or bad idea?

Also, I think one of my outdoor plants brought some little ant friends with it, and they've taken up residence on this guy. They only crawl on the new growth. Should I exterminate them, or are they harmless?

This now makes 2 oncidiums I have pity purchased and I have no idea what blooms I'm going to get. Kind of exciting!

[RosieC]

I would probably repot with the new growth. Are you a windowsill grower, will it have reasonable warmth in the house or will it go out into a cooler area/greenhouse?

If it's going to be kept cooler I might hold off repotting, I think temp is one of the reasons they might struggle with repotting at this time of year. However it's good to get the roots the new growth will soon put down going straight into a new medium.

[Bulbofett]

(short answer: windowsill grower) I have a cold room with lots of light in my house. Temps 62 during the day with 55 at night.

So I should probably wait then?

[RosieC]

A winter min on these types is about 55 (according to the nursery I buy from) so if you are keeping them in that sort of range I would possibly hold off repotting.

If you are unhappy with how to grow in moss though sometimes sooner is better than later. However I find these go fairly dormant and growth slows right down at this time of year and in those sorts of temperatures.

[Bulbofett]

As much as it kills me, I'll just wait. It must be happy to be sending these 2 new growths up since I bought it, so I think it can wait until spring.

I was actually surprised it sent new growth at all considering the temperatures lately.

Do you have any comments on the ants?

[quiltergal]

Get rid of the ants. They bring lots of other nasties along with them. Once they take up residence in your collection they are very hard to get rid of. It took me almost 2 years to eradicate them from my collection. Besides do you really want ants in your house?

If that were my plant I would repot. You will need to adjust your watering for cooler temps, but you should be doing that anyway even if you don't repot.

[Bulbofett]

How should I get rid of the ants? I've never actually had this kind of problem before. I was hoping the bi-weekly soak I give my orchids would drown them, but they must have evolved and learned to swim (jk).

Now, I'm in a pickle here lol. I don't know whether to repot or to leave it until spring.

[RosieC]

I'm afraid I've never had to get rid of ants on plants. There are chemicals you can use outside, whenever they get in I find where they are coming in and put something down at that point outside. I've never had them in the plants though

Whether to repot or not does tend to be one of opinion which makes it difficult if you are looking for advise. I've had problems with it with this type at cool temps (even with reduced winter watering) but other may have found it to be fine. There are so many conditions that can affect it that it's hard to say.

To be honest I think I would be a bit undecided about this one myself. The growths will produce new roots as they get just a bit bigger, and having those go into your choice of medium is a good advantage, on the other hand I resist repotting at this time of year. Sorry, that's not much help

[Optimist]

I repot immediately upon bringing anything home from the store, whether it has flowers or not. I have never had any flowers drop due to re-potting. I hate sphagnum moss and have seen so many orchids die of it. Your oncidium is at a good time to repot. You should repot when new growth is starting. That looks like new growth. I would go for it.

Repotting allows you to assess the root health, cut off old dead or mushy roots, wash off any buggies that may have followed it home and can make nests in your other plants, and also to get it into a different medium you feel better about. (Remember on an oncidium you take off the root as close to the rhizome as you can get. )

[Leafmite]

Getting rid of ants is very easy. Fill up the laundry tub, submerge orchid completely, away from the sides of the laundry tub, and let soak for a few hours. Ants will be gone....
Terro baits work well but take longer (they are the clear ones with Boric acid and sugar as ingredients).
Repotting is best done in the spring unless you can provide bottom heat but if the plant is growing and putting out new roots, I usually do repot the orchid. Orchids that are definitely resting or are slow growers should wait until spring. In that case, one either cuts holes in the pot or removes as much medium as possible to help keep the roots healthy.