My first catt - how to handle a poor potting situation

[tjselwyn]

My first cattleya arrived last week, and I'm in a bit of a conundrum about it. Its two most recent growths are completely out of the pot, it's got plenty of exposed roots from older growths as well, and the potting medium is probably the worst I've ever seen - I think it's just mossy sludge. That said, the plant seems to be doing well - the canes are all fat and healthy-looking, leaves look pretty good, and it's got a spike with buds that have grown noticeably since it's arrived. So I don't think I need to panic and can wait to repot until it's got new growth and roots, but I don't really know how to manage it until then. Should I spray the exposed roots now and again to give them a bit of moisture, or should it be OK to just try and monitor the medium and water that whenever it's dried out?

For info, it's indoors with temps of 18–22C, near a west-facing window (and I'm using grow lights now that it's getting dark and dreary here in the UK). I'm not sure about humidity levels, but assuming my house is typical for the UK, probably 40–60%.

[WaterWitchin]

Were it mine, I'd soak it, shake out what degraded medium in the pot that you can, and repot it now. Or at least as soon as the blooms fall.

[estación seca]

Be gentle with repotting. Don't try too hard to remove old medium. WW means, literally, shake it lightly for only 1-2 seconds. You're aiming not to damage roots at all. Some old medium will remain. Your instinct not to repot until making new roots is correct, but this potting situation is bad. If you had more familiarity with how Catts grow I would advise you to water carefully and wait to repot, but I think repotting now is better in your situation.

[tjselwyn]

OK, thank you both. When I repot, should I aim to get the roots that are currently exposed within the new medium, or is it better to leave them outside?

[SouthPark]

From where this orchid came from - the previous owner had their own way/method of watering and care. It is those details that probably don't get transferred to the new owners - including information about the previous owner's conditions - eg. humidity, air-movement conditions, etc.

When roots do well out of the pot, then that might suggest humidity was at a suitable level.

If you repot later ----- then it's ok to put all or most of the exposed roots into the media too. But try not to use a media that stays wet for days ----- including portions that remain unseen (down in the dark depths of the pot). Too wet for too long can lead to root drowning in the dark depths - rotting of roots, etc.

Very gentle air-movement at regular times through-out the day and night can help avoid unwanted fungal activity on leaves and stems. Still air, or mostly still air conditions may raise chances of encountering fungal activity. This doesn't mean we will necessarily encounter that sort of thing. It's just the benefit of gentle air movement, which also helps water movement and oxygen movement through the pot and media.

Also - if possible, have the base of the actual orchid-pot sitting on something that prevents the bottom of the orchid pot from ever sitting in any layer of water. And have the actual orchid pot sitting on something that allows moving air to easily flow into or out of the orchid pot holes.

[estación seca]

Yes, cover the roots with medium. The rhizome should be at the surface. You will likely need to stake the plant, or use a rhizome clip. Set the oldest part of the plant against one edge, with the growth axis pointing toward the other edge. Use a pot that will hold 2-3 more growths.

[tjselwyn]

Alright, I'll give it my best. Thanks again for all your help.

[isurus79]

I think any media described as "mossy sludge" should be removed quickly! In addition to what is described above, you might have to consider cutting the developing spike if the roots are rotten. Saving the plant's energy by cutting the spike might be important if there are no roots or a very small root system is left.

[Roberta]

Growing out of the pot is a good thing, especially here. The newer growths look good. So I'm with ES... I'd even rinse the roots as well as shake off old medium - you may get some more of the bad stuff off without harming any roots that might actually be gool (In fact, I think I see a new root emerging in the second photo, if so even better. I agree with ES - place the oldest part of the plant against the side of the new pot, so that new growths will have the most room to grow and root for a couple of years. I also suggest medium or fairly large bark, you want good drainage and lots of air space around the roots. Unless there are enough old roots to hold the plant, do stake it... it is very important that the plant be held firmly, no wobbling, so that new roots can establish without damage.