Cattleya's in Semi Hydro. Should I repot?

[leslieann79]

The majority of the new roots seem to be growing out of the pots. Is this cup too small? Should I put it in something bigger? Also in the last picture at the bottom of the plant there is an accumulation of white stuff. Could that be salt from over fertilizing? I have a water softener that goes through a whole house filtration and then through an r/o system. TIA

[Corsetière]

Yeah I would repot. It looks a bit cramped.
My catts have been growing very fast in S/H too.

[shushu45]

With the increase in sun and heat my two catts r going nuts in s/h.

[Corsetière]

It's a good thing, but it is a pain to have to repot!

My Blc Lake Murray ' Mendenhall" is definitely ready for a repotting.

[james mickelso]

Cattleyas and many other orchids grow on trees sending forth roots that grow along the bark. This is natural. That is why in a potted culture when you repot you find the roots clinging to the inside of the pot. Same here. The roots want to grow along the surface of whatever they are growing on. Let them. This isn't over grown at all. It could take another season at least. Nice plants by the way. Very well grown. Flowered yet?

[leslieann79]

I've got a few new growths but no flowers yet. I guess I will leave it be for now. I just worry about those roots if I dont spritz them.

[james mickelso]

I would go ahead and spritz them. It won't hurt. You can also just water them like you would an orchid in bark or other media. Just pour out the excess water. I'm not an S/H grower but many have great results with it.

[shushu45]

Make it a everyday thing like I did. I spray mine just before I head out the door. Then when I get home.

[Ray]

Yes, repot.

I see no buildup, but as you didn't tell us how much or often you feed, there's no way to tell you if it is mineral buildup.

[leslieann79]

Thanks Ray. I'm really horrible with feeding. I have some msu for r/o water and I just put a little in the water 3 out of 4 weeks. I need to take time to read up on that and figure out how much Im actually feeding.

---------- Post added at 09:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:16 AM ----------

That was the easiest repot I've ever done. Now all the roots are in the pot. Now with phal's that have those aerial roots that shoot straight up, thats no reason to repot right? I have a lot of Lowe's clearance phals that had no roots and are now growing lots of them. Most of them seem to be going down towards the hydroton but some are going in the opposite direction. Should I try to get those in the pot?