When to repot Oncid. hybrid?

[butterfly_muse]

Good afternoon, everyone.

I was wondering when it's the right time to repot my beallara marfitch 'howard's dream' to a larger pot? I put it in some CHC last year after I bought it and it came in crappy sphag, and it has thrived there. I know these guys like to be sort of root-bound, but he is starting to throw off two new growths and a crap ton of roots, so I'm wondering exactly where the line is between being "happily root bound" and "too big for the pot"? Also when is the most ideal time to pot it, if it does need a slightly larger pot? And by larger, how much larger?

I have attached some pictures, hopefully that will help. Thank you!

(P.S. I am watering everyone today, so fear not that he's a bit dry :P)

[WhiteRabbit]

Looks very happy!
It doesn't need to be repotted.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Looks very happy!
It doesn't need to be repotted.

Thanks! Yay. I didn't think so but since it started sprouting all sorts of wild roots above the pot I decided I'd better ask just in case. How will I know when it is ready to be repotted in the future?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Thanks! Yay. I didn't think so but since it started sprouting all sorts of wild roots above the pot I decided I'd better ask just in case. How will I know when it is ready to be repotted in the future?

Looks like there's room for the current new growth. It may want a bigger pot when the next round of new growth comes in. Don't worry about room for roots - your pot has plenty, and roots will also make room for themselves - growing in the small spaces in-between the media, through the chc, as well as just displacing media.

You probably have nice moist air, so roots don't need to find the media for moisture. Like many orchids, these are epiphytes. And even in the dry climate here, new growth on my Oncidiums often get new roots growing every way.

[butterfly_muse]

Awesome! Thanks!

[Ray]

I agree with the comments above, and will add that the time to repot that is when those newer pseudobulbs have matured, and they are starting to produce new growths, and their associated new roots..