Repotting Paphiolpedilum, container questions...

[betwixtimes]

Hi guys!

So two weeks ago I went to a NOS auction and bought 3 new orchids. One of them was a paphiolpedilum, and the plastic pot was broken by the auctioneer. I didn't want to change the pot while it's in flower (superstitious pigeon) but it's two weeks later, my orchid is looking adjusted and I think I should re-pot it because the split on the side isn't going to get any better and actually has gotten worse...which is keeping the medium pretty dry. It also gets very low natural light but doesn't appear to be ill effected. Early morning 3+ hours bright indirect light.

To make matters worse, my jealous kitten attacked the flower thinking it was some mysterious monster... so I think maybe it'd be ok if I re-potted it, considering MiSOH already bit off it's ear.

Opinions on potting/re-potting new orchids in bloom?
I'm actually looking for opinions on types of pot, plastic, ceramic, terracotta--- I don't think I need to size up, just get a solid container.

I have a small 4" pot that I had a sedirea japonica in. It looks like a 'hot/humid' pot, with a high indented bottom and lots of drainage, solid on all sides.

I'm also open to opinions on keeping a willful jealous 20lb maine-coon kitten away from my plants...

[tucker85]

I would probably set the broken pot inside another pot until it's finished blooming.

[betwixtimes]

That's a good idea tucker, I haven't found a container that fits the broken on well--and the temptation to knock over the pot is high among curious kittens and clumsy humans--if it doesn't nestle into the other pot well...

I'm going to do more looking when I get home, maybe brace it in a much bigger pot with foam or something.

Do you also think that re-potting is best for after an orchid finishes blooming? I don't know where I heard that, but it's pretty much stuck with me...

[betwixtimes]

I moved it and the flower fell off. So I re-potted it. I'm wondering now if it's possible that somehow it was self fertilized because the stem is fat and a bit swollen looking...

[NYCorchidman]

Any pot will do as long as you know when to water it correctly.

I have lots of paphs and they are in clay pots, plastic pots and decorative pots. Most are in clear plastic and eventually I will move all of them to clear plastic pots.

I like to see how the roots are doing and how moist the potting mix is.

So far, clear plastic pots have worked the best for me.

[betwixtimes]

I agree with the clear pots--- but right now i just have clay pots, we'll see how it works, I guess.. .

[jeremyinsf]

Clay pots will dry out the media much faster than plastic. Just something to consider, as you need to know how to water correctly, like NYC mentioned.

[MrHappyRotter]

Add my vote for transparent plasic pots. I've been growing orchids now for decades (damn I feel old, but swear I started young), and I will swear by them. They're particularly useful for slippers. I can't understate how helpful they are in monitoring root health and moisture levels. I'm lucky in that I can buy them from a local vendor, but they're also very easy to buy online. So, with that being said, I'd stick with plastic. I grow nearly all my plants in plastic pots, and I use clay pots as cache pots to add to their beauty when they are bloom.

As far as pot size, judging by your photo, I would stick with a round plastic pot of the same diameter as your current pot. Your plant doesn't look like it needs to be potted up. The same size should be good.

In terms of keeping the critters at bay, that's a harder question to answer. I've lost multiple plants over the years to various pets, and it's disheartening, I admit. The most expensive plant I lost to a pet was a phrag kovachii hybrid that my former roommate's cat decided at random was a very tasty treat. So far, the most effective deterrent I've found, other than making sure my orchids were completely out of reach, is a liberal coating of hand soap or dish detergent. Just to put some perspective on it, I first tried some of the commercial products (bitter apple sprays). Those did little or nothing to keep cats and dogs from chewing on my plants. Next I tried pepper sauce (i.e. tobasco sause and similar products with lots of capsaicin). That actually encouraged pets to chew my plants. The only thing that worked was when I started using hand soap. Cats and dogs hate the taste of that. So, if it's feasible for you, you may try that. From experience, soaps don't appear to harm the orchids. I mix a few table spoons into spray bottle, then soak the plants. That seemed to be enough to stop pets from chewing on leaves.

[Fairorchids]

Paphs are just about the only orchid group that you can repot any time, incl when in bloom. Of course, broken flowers or stems due to repotter clumpsiness excluded.

[The Orchid Boy]

How to keep cats away:
1) BBQ him.
2) Feed him to some wild animal at a zoo
3) Put him in an electric cage.
4) Sell him on eBay and ship him off
5) Keep him away from your orchids in some hand way...

Sorry, I'm just ticked off at my cat for peeing in an orchid.......