Repotting?

[Tim P.]

I have a few technical questions I guess I have an after dark that I got this January. I've never had such a high maitainence plant. I mean, for real. I've watched it for three months and have done nothing for it Lol.

Anywah , do you repot every year? I am in the understanding that you aren't supposed to water until the growth is at least four or five inches tall. Mynext question is how are you supposed to repot then. The media is wet when repotting... Would it cause rot?

Tips for repotting? Cut off roots ... Leave them?

Thanks! I'm loving my after dark so far. I might name her midnight ha ha.

FYI... I have a growth that is about two inches tall.

[WhiteRabbit]

[isurus79]

I don't repot every year as it seems like a waste of time to me. Cutting off the old roots also seems silly to me because they provide a great anchor for the plant when you repot. However, there are lots of successful growers who do the opposite with great results. It really depends on your preference.

This group will grow in just about anything, so just to keep it simple for for newer grower of Catasetinae, I'd just repot in large grade bark that is dry. That way you get around having to worry about rot. Or you could also repot next year (if the media is good) and skip these issues entirely.

[AvantGardner]

Just another opinion

I do repot every year as I use CHC as part of my mix. I do agree that sphag can be used 2 years in a row, but I don't prefer my catasetinae in sphag. When I make and presoak a batch of mix, I let it dry for a few days (sometimes longer) until it is bone dry. Then, when removing old media, I do trim the roots back, leaving enough to anchor the plant in the pot (2 inches or so). I haven't lost one to rot this way. I usually repot when the new growth's roots are just poking through, before they get to be an inch long. I've found if you wait too much longer you end up with damaged roots, not something a vulnerable new growth needs. Hope this helps

[catasetum-ian]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

Anywah , do you repot every year?
no, i do not repot every year. only repot when it has already outgrown the pot or there is more than four to five pseudobulb in the plant. frequency of repotting depends very much on the type of media.

I am in the understanding that you aren't supposed to water until the growth is at least four or five inches tall.
i usually go by the roots, as long as the new roots is about three to four inches long, you can start watering. but i water it much earlier.

Mynext question is how are you supposed to repot then. The media is wet when repotting... Would it cause rot?
answer is maybe, but if can do a fungicide dip after repot.


Tips for repotting? Cut off roots ... Leave them?
if roots are healthy(white color, firm and those with green tips) the preserve them, but if roots are black and rotten, trimmed everything away


FYI... I have a growth that is about two inches tall.
Congrats

concur with what Steve mentioned as well.
good luck