When is the best time to re pot

[Lilac]

Hi Guys

I'm wondering if the best time to re pot my orchids would be in the spring, or in the fall after they have finished blooming.

For example the Cattleyas have all finished blooming. They are in wood slat baskets since last year. But I've seen many in clay pots and was wondering if they would do better there.

The Dendrobiums, some are now in bloom, but most have bloomed already.

Also can I put a few together in a bigger pot so the display will be prettier, or is that a no no ?

The Oncidiums, a Shelob Red,and an Ontario Urchin, bloomed a while back in spring summer and they particularly seem to have a lot of root growth. I would like to re pot now, but not sure if perhaps I should wait till spring?

The Phals are in wood slatted baskets but I'm not changing them because I can't. The roots have snaked and grabbed on to the slats so if I move them the roots will break But I love the roots I think as much as the flowers That's going to be a problem though when they have to be re potted. Any ideas?

Any advice you can give me will be much,much appreciated! Thank you!

Have a Blessed day and orchid hugs to all

[Vanda lover]

From what I understand, when an orchid has finished blooming and beginning to put out some new roots it's a good time to pot. When I repotted my Lc and Potinara, I decided to put them in lava rock because they weren't doing very well in the usual mixes. They love it and immediately put out new growth. The Potinara has 3 new leads! The good thing is that it is difficult to over water them in lava rock and it doesn't break down and cause rotting.

I have tried combing a few orchids in one pot before but they didn't do very well. That might have just been me, though.

Usually with orchids that are growing in baskets, the only way to avoid damaging them is to remove as much of the medium as possible, put the whole basket into a larger one and add fresh medium.

[WhiteRabbit]

Ideally, repot when there is new root growth. I've not really encountered problems repotting "whenever", but some can be fussier than others, so unless there is an urgent need to repot NOW, it is best to do it when there is new root growth.

[Fairorchids]

There are a few Cattleya species (mostly bifoliates), which should ONLY be repotted when new roots appear. At any other time, repotting causes a setback.

[Lilac]

Thank you so much Fair Orchid, White Rabbit, Vanda Lover! I feel better prepared now. I would love to try out the lava rock bu I'm afraid it's not available around here, at least that I know of. Thanks so much

[Raqsharqi]

Fairorchids, that might explain why my rescue Catt isn't doing much. I didn't want to leave it in the pot I got it in because it was in one of those "wet paper strips wrapped in plastic" containers, but perhaps repotting did more harm than good.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Lilac

Thank you so much Fair Orchid, White Rabbit, Vanda Lover! I feel better prepared now. I would love to try out the lava rock bu I'm afraid it's not available around here, at least that I know of. Thanks so much

I'm surprised that lava rock isn't available there. Many garden centres sell it for using as a mulch here.

[Lilac]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

I'm surprised that lava rock isn't available there. Many garden centres sell it for using as a mulch here.

I'm going to take a look at HD again, which around here has the largest variety of garden products. I don't believe I've seen it, but then maybe it's somewhere in there and I just haven't seen it. This time I will ask an associate for it specifically. Thanks VandaLover!

As for the Catts, I'm not touching them for now. I think that's also why a few of them have sort of just stopped in their tracks! I'll leave them as is till next spring.

The oncidiums, when I move I will transfer them to a basket on legs that I found at the supermarket. I think they will look very nice there and will like it.

Thanks again all! Love and orchid hugs to all!