Repotting cattleya while in bloom?

[GGracieGoodman]

I got two cattleyas a couple of weeks ago at an orchid show, both of them just recently bloomed and they're so beautiful! But they are tightly packed in sphagnum moss. I don't have very much experience with sphagnum moss and I'm a little nervous that the roots will rot. Is it ok to repot them in a bark while they are in bloom or should I wait? I don't want to cut the flowers or anything or stress the plant out.

[bil]

Tough call. I HATE moss for Catts and Phals, and I might well be tempted to repot straight away, accepting that it might shorten the blooms' life. If the sphag isn't too tight, then just be very sure to let it dry out well inbetween waterings.
I have catts I water every day. Because of the way they are potted, it doesn't matter.

An analogy is this. When you water with a water retaining medium, you fill all the pores with water and expel the air. That's why you shouldn't water a normal plant too much.

Orchids have a much greater need for air. so, when you water with moss, it is to me a bit like putting a plastic bag over your head and cutting off the air. Not for too long, but repeated such suffocations and for longer and longer periods would do you no good.

Plants feel stress too, and it pays to minimise that stress if you want the plant to do well.

[Leafmite]

It is best to pot a Cattleya just as it begins growing new roots, or, at least, new growths. You might be lucky as some Cattleyas bloom first, then start on the new roots. You will need to look and see what is happening with yours.
I have potted Cattleyas in emergency situations at the wrong time but it must be done very carefully as they need those roots until they get new growth and roots to support themselves.
Good luck!

[bil]

Leafmite raises a good point. THE time to repot is as the first roots start to show. That is usually after they flower, so repotting in flower or just after should be best.

Should be. (Yes, I'm paranoid....)

[Leafmite]

Some Cattleyas do completely finish the growths, roots and all, before they flower (some of these then rest during the winter and bloom the next spring). Some don't even completely finish growing the pseudobulb before they send out a flower. Then there are those who flower and start a new growth at the same time! It all depends on the species or what species in the ancestry influenced the hybrid. Cattleyas are a bit crazy.

[rbarata]

I have one that needs an urgent repot. My mistake... the plant was not well potted so it could not stand upright. The rizome should be horizontal and it's almost vertical...but it's growing new roots and a new pbulb. I need to wait till the middle autumn (when new root start to grow.

[DeaC]

GGG...Next time you're at a show and buying plants,never hesitate to ask the vendor questions on care or culture.If the catts traveled from some greater distance,the s/m would have supplied moisture but I would have inquired from the seller about repotting sooner rather than later.I myself have done it and feel wet/damp s/m can be removed easily.Even swishing it in warm water can dislodge it without much trauma. Just my opinion and good luck.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would wait until new root growth and just be really careful with watering. Allow the sphagnum to nearly dry out before you water.

[rbarata]

Where do you live in the US? Is it a dry climate?
The pots... do they have holes on the sides?

[wintergirl]

I repot everything I buy, even cattleyas and never had a problem.