Repotting Slc. Jewel Box 'Dark Waters'

[greenbean]

I have a Slc. Jewel Box 'Dark Waters' that turned out to be missing something when I brought it home...ROOTS!!! It's one of the first orchids I bought, and I didn't think to pull off the plastic covering the pot to check the roots. A mistake I will never make again.

Almost two years later and it is growing very well. After some trial and error, I finally got really good root growth by pampering it in sphag. Now the sphag is too moist and doesn't aerate enough, so I need to repot (see dark discoloration on roots in photo and moistness of sphag). Can I repot at any time, or should I wait until another growth starts to form roots? I've read that chids in the Catt alliance should only be repotted when new roots are forming.

I'm planning to put it in medium coco husk chips (after thorough washing of course )
The smallest growth formed after I stabilized the plants condition and the newest one is easily 3x's bigger! The buds at the bottom of the newest growth are also at least 2x bigger than the bud from which that growth originated, so I'm expecting even bigger ones next! Sorry for the essay . Here's the pics.

[lily99]

I have read the same thing about Catt alliance plants preferring to be repotted after they start growing new roots. That probably is ideal, but I did once repot a cattleya before it started growing roots to save it from root rot, and it didn't die on me. I read somewhere species cattleyas are more sensitive to being repotted at the wrong time than hybrids. It might be better to repot your plant now if you are very concerned about root rot.

[Don Perusse]

I would definately re-pot now. When in doubt I would take the chance to re-pot, especially where the roots are involved. I've even repotted when in sheath and they turned out okay. High light levels, good drainage and air circulation. I use tree fern w/redwood chips for my cats. Medium doesn't breakdown as easily but CH is good also.

[greenbean]

Thanks lily and Don. I know there are other mediums that last longer, but I already have CH at hand and don't want to spend too much money on yet more different mediums when I could spend it on orchids! I might switch to S/H when I have a larger collection, but that is a few years away, since I can't have many plants in my dorm room , and my parents are getting tired of living in a greenhouse.

[Don Perusse]

I have Slc. Jewel Box "Scheherazade" and she is a real good bloomer. Last year I had seven blooms. I just checked the g/h today and mine has 5 new growths on her now. Boy what a bouquet this spring! Good luck with yours.

[Oscarman]

You hear that advise all the time "Catt alliance should only be repotted when new roots are forming"! It really IS about the timing, but I have found that repotting when new roots are forming sets you up to damage those new and tender root tips. You have to be sooo careful.

Still it really IS about the timing - I try to repot just as a new growth is maturing and before new roots break at the base of the pseudobulb.

BTW, I love that cross, especially the clone Dark Waters. Please delight us with pictures when it is in bloom!

[greenbean]

Thanks for the advice on timing Oscarman. I'll keep that in mind for the future. This time I don't think it can wait though. I don't want to lose those roots after I worked so hard to get them to grow.

Judging by how well this little plant has come back from the dead, I think I may be able to hope for blooms in 1-2 years. There's always the possibility of it surprising me before then, but I won't be that optimistic . I will be sure to post pictures when it blooms! It could be a long wait, but I assure you it will seem much longer for me than anyone else! Hopefully it will someday do as well as your Scheherazade, Don.

[greenbean]

Well, I repotted and it hasn't died yet! The new pseudobulb is continuing to expand slowly. One root that I know of has shrivelled up, but I guess that's better than turning mushy and rotten. There is a tiny bump at the top of the p.bulb that until recently looked smooth. Now it looks like it's expanding! It may be trying to bloom! It will be awhile, and I don't want to get my hopes up (HA! wish me luck with that!) but if it does bloom I will post pics.

I also repotted an Onc. Twinkle that I had killed nearly all the roots on. The p.bulbs have plumped up again and I treated it with rooting hormone. It has many recently mature p.bulbs and one that is just getting started. Hopefully it will grow more roots.

Ok, I made one booboo. I had everything laid out right in front of me but I still forgot to treat the roots of either chid for fungus. I noticed a tiny amount of a very fine, web-like mold or fungus between the CHC and the sphag. that I tucked around what little roots were left. It has been spreading steadily. I had noticed the same thing in the sphag that the Slc. was growing in before. Is there something I can do to treat it without disturbing the chids yet again?

[Cookiemonster]

I have found with CHC is that it is prone to that stringy moldy thing when it has been too moist for too long! a physan soak would be wonderful and avoid keeping it super moist all the time, that should help!
Good luck

[greenbean]

Thanks Cookiemonster (btw, great username)! The CHC dries pretty fast, so it's probably more to do with the shag. that I added. I'll have to get some physan I guess.