When to repot a C. amethystoglossa?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

Interesting. I'm curious why it may be better to repot when the roots are 1/2" to 3/4" long vs a nubbin, like isurus79 mentioned.

Fairorchids, I am interested too... I have gone for the "nubbin" stage (or even "nubbin in a couple of weeks" stage if I know when that is). The reasoning being that it's pretty impossible to not damage a root tip or two when handling, and if done at the "just getting started" stage, if one or two get damaged, there will be more coming along presently, and of course once the plant is firmly potted, there will be no more disturbance. Reality is, sometimes that just doesn't happen... but we're talking "ideal here. But that's in general... this species may behave differently.

[isurus79]

I noticed my polyploid C.a. is at the stage discussed in this thread. The first photo shows how large the new growth will be when it puts out roots; about 2/3 through the growth cycle. The second photo shows a new root. I would already consider this too late to repot and would be kicking myself if I'd let the new roots get that big already.

Cattleya amethystoglossa putting out new roots by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Cattleya amethystoglossa putting out new roots by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

[estación seca]

It's also nice the photo shows how you merely dropped the previous pot into one somewhat larger, and backfilled with medium. Did you do the most recent repotting when the zip-tied growth angling to the left in the photo was forming, and was just at the edge of the previous pot?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by estación seca

It's also nice the photo shows how you merely dropped the previous pot into one somewhat larger, and backfilled with medium. Did you do the most recent repotting when the zip-tied growth angling to the left in the photo was forming, and was just at the edge of the previous pot?

Yes, I believe so! I think there are actually several old pots inside that one. My guess is the current pot is about 24" wide. As you can see, the pot is almost too small and I even cut it up this spring. Will probably need another haircut in spring 2021.

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I noticed my polyploid C.a. is at the stage discussed in this thread. The first photo shows how large the new growth will be when it puts out roots; about 2/3 through the growth cycle. The second photo shows a new root. I would already consider this too late to repot and would be kicking myself if I'd let the new roots get that big already.

Cattleya amethystoglossa putting out new roots by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Cattleya amethystoglossa putting out new roots by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Thanks, those pics are extremely helpful.
...worth a thousand words.

Are you going to let the roots grow over the current pot?

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

Are you going to let the roots grow over the current pot?

An excellent question Jeff.

I'm currently on the lookout for an amethystoglossa ...... especially for the purpose of finding out for myself whether it's true or not that these particular plants are 'that' weak regarding having a hard time handling a repot. Maybe there is some truth to it. But I'll definitely be finding out for sure (once I get my hands on an amethystoglossa that is).

My prediction is - no problem. In that pic with that little root growing out of the pot ...... I wouldn't be concerned if I repotted it right now, or whatever length that root gets.

I don't mean that other people try it out right away. I volunteer to do the testing for everybody.

Also - in humid enough places, the roots of catts can grow quite long out of the pot without issues ---- and even pseudobulbs can even grow outside of the pot too. So for that particular small root - if the growing conditions support it ---- that root could just grow as an aerial root.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

Thanks, those pics are extremely helpful.
...worth a thousand words.

Are you going to let the roots grow over the current pot?

Most of the roots will stay in the pot, so I’ll leave it as is.