Cattleya trianaei var. alba (‘White Queen’ x ‘Snow Queen’) - Repot?

[groundpounder17]

I have a Cattleya I received on 9/21/23 that looked quite healthy when I received it and seeing I have never got a bad orchid from this grower I wasn’t too concerned about the roots, but now I am.
I noticed that the roots close to the top of the sphagnum moss seems chalking. Trying to dig around and find healthy roots seems impossible so if they are there they must be deeper (but I haven’t dug too deep). From the outside the plant looks good except for the blackening of the leaves you can see in the pic (it arrived this way).
The grower claims that their plants shouldn’t need repotting until next year, but I’m concerned. Should I repot to inspect the roots? Any advice would be appreciated.

Edit: I realize it is dry and was going to water, but first deciding what I should do

[Roberta]

The plant looks healthy, and I would believe the grower. Ideal time to repot is when you see new roots just starting (little bumps). In the meantime, do pay attention to how wet it stays... for most people, sphagnum isn't an ideal medium for Catts, which like to get nearly dry. But if you let it get to near-dryness (as it looks like you're doing) before watering, it should be fine. Clearly the nursery has sphagnum dialed in to their watering regimen. There is no "wrong medium" as long as the correct moisture level is maintained. When you repot, pick the medium that works for you.

[groundpounder17]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The plant looks healthy, and I would believe the grower. Ideal time to repot is when you see new roots just starting (little bumps). In the meantime, do pay attention to how wet it stays... for most people, sphagnum isn't an ideal medium for Catts, which like to get nearly dry. But if you let it get to near-dryness (as it looks like you're doing) before watering, it should be fine. Clearly the nursery has sphagnum dialed in to their watering regimen. There is no "wrong medium" as long as the correct moisture level is maintained. When you repot, pick the medium that works for you.

Thank you, Roberta. You’ve set my mind at ease. They do like to use sphagnum which worries me on orchids that like to dry more. I noticed that that they have most of their smaller orchids in sphagnum while most of their larger is in traditional bark mix (their Cattleya and Laelia that is). I bet my question next year when repotting all these will be if I should switch medium. Lol

---------- Post added at 03:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------

Roberta, would you say that this Cattleya would like to be a little more dry between watering than something like a Laelia purpurata?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by groundpounder17

[/COLOR]Roberta, would you say that this Cattleya would like to be a little more dry between watering than something like a Laelia purpurata?

I treat all of my Catts (all mature plants) the same. They hang in the same area, get watered by sprinklers. Pretty much all are in plastic or wood baskets (so they dry fast), get watered every 2 days in summer and 3 days in winter. (Clearly the interval would be different, less frequent, for potted plants) But very unrefined... those who grow under more controlled conditions would be in a better position to advise on the fine points.

[groundpounder17]

What about this coloration change where it looks like it is become dark, almost black? I included a pic from the 9/21/23 when it arrived which doesn’t show this

[Roberta]

Can't see it well enough to make any judgements. I tend to be pretty laissez faire about my plants, so can't advise. Be concerned if spots are mushy. But the "skin" that protects psedudobulbs tends to darken, fry, and get papery as the p-bulb matures.

[groundpounder17]

What looks to be one of the older leaves is dying. Should I be concerned?

[Roberta]

That looks normal. The old p-bulbs do eventually shed leaves, and that is the oldest one so, force of nature. You can also see some shriveling on the p-bulbs just in front of the one losing the leaves. The roots of those are reaching end of life, the plant will draw the energy and "juice" from them, to support the new growth which looks good. When you see the new roots start on the next new growth, then it might be a good idea to repot (and check on what's doing on "down below") even if the plant hasn't outgrown the pot.

[groundpounder17]

Originally Posted by Roberta

That looks normal. The old p-bulbs do eventually shed leaves, and that is the oldest one so, force of nature.

That’s what I thought, but this being in sphagnum already concerns me so I was just making sure. When I repot I’ll be getting these out of sphagnum

---------- Post added at 01:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

That looks normal. The old p-bulbs do eventually shed leaves, and that is the oldest one so, force of nature. You can also see some shriveling on the p-bulbs just in front of the one losing the leaves. The roots of those are reaching end of life, the plant will draw the energy and "juice" from them, to support the new growth which looks good. When you see the new roots start on the next new growth, then it might be a good idea to repot (and check on what's doing on "down below") even if the plant hasn't outgrown the pot.

So you are saying to wait for the next new pseudobulb then when the roots start to repot? In my growing conditions I’m thinking I could go with a traditional bark mix. Will that change in media kill the old roots or will they be able to adapt?

[Roberta]

Wait for new roots (sometimes the new growth starts ahead of them, sometimes the new roots appear first) When those new roots just get started (little bumps) is the idea time to repot. Old roots may or may not adapt (but they'll maintain the plant while the new ones are growing) I would suggest a regular bark mix - Catts need lots of air around roots, and to get fairly dry (not bone dry) between waterings. It's a lot harder to overwater in bark (suggest medium size) than sphag. The fact that Catts tend to really take off once they hit the edge of the pot and go beyond says to me that they really aren't wild about pots at all. (I have gone to baskets almost exclusively for them, but that may not work for your conditions)