Cattleya trianae mariposa - When to pot up?

[dpernock]

I have had this trianae mariposa for about a year now. I acquired it from Orquiverde as a recently potted bare root division. It is potted in leca and lava rock with packing peanuts at the bottom. They told me that this is how they pot as they are located in Doral FL, and receive more frequent rain. This sits under a 40W grow light indoors and gets watered once to twice a week. It has been growing roots like crazy and has three leads. The plan is to just stick the whole net pot into a larger one and fill in with more leca and lava rock. My question is, should I wait longer or should I pot soon so that the free roots have media to grow into? This is one of my favorite orchids not to mention the most expensive of my collection, and I want it to thrive! Was a little dehydrated in these pics, but pseudobulbs have since fattened up with their recent watering.

Cattleya trianae mariposa - Album on Imgur

[Ray]

If you are simply potting up the current container and medium into a larger container with the same medium, you can do so at any time. Soak the new medium before use and do your best to avoid damaging those roots.

Issues come into play when moving roots into a different medium.

[dpernock]

Thank you! I will probably stick it in a bigger pot this week. I was worried the roots may die if I put medium around them since they are in the air right now.