Catt Repotting Question

[ces797]

Hi Guys
Sorry to submit yet another "should I repot" thread but I couldn't help myself.
My local nursery sells it's "out of bloom" orchids for $5 no matter what size so usually I find some good stuff. This guys is "BLC Ronald Hausermann "Carl" x Blc. Mac Holmes "Newberry" and after I saw the HUGE PB's I just had to have it. When I bought it, it had the two new growths coming up so I figured I would repot as soon as those reached maturity and started throwing out roots. Well, lo and behold one of the older PB's decided to go ahead and throw up a spike sans sheath. My only problem with this guy is that he's in 100% potting soil. It's currently outside enjoying the weather but anytime there is a threat of rain I bring it inside because I don't want it to stay as moist as peat moss can do.
So should I leave it as it is and look into a repot job once the bloom is done or should I still plan on repotting once the two new growths start to throw out new roots?


Thanks for any advice!

Curtis

[smweaver]

Curtis, it looks to me like it's potted in Pro Mix, which is not exactly the same thing as potting soil (but pretty close). As you've already noticed, it's primarily a peat moss-based mix. It was quite popular many years ago, primarily for phalaenopsis, but I think it's since gone out of vogue (probably for good reason). If I were you I would simply take a hammer (gently) to the pot and then place the entire root ball (including whatever amount of Pro Mix doesn't readily fall off) in a large-grade bark or coconut husk mix with ample crocking in the bottom of the pot. This way the plant's growth isn't interrupted. It looks like the pot it's currently in is small enough so that the remaining Pro Mix that goes into the new pot shouldn't cause any problems. If the plant's still in an active growth mode, I don't think it will hurt it to let it get rained on (even heavily rained on). Once the weather cools down significantly, bring it inside and let it become thoroughly dry between waterings. Good luck!

Steve

[ces797]

Great thanks for the advice Steve
Would you do this as a temporary fix?

[smweaver]

Nope, I'd pot it with the root ball and a little of the Pro Mix in a new and relatively small clay pot (maybe enough for another year or two of new growths) and let it go. The combination of the "smallish" pot, the fact that it will breathe because it's unglazed clay and the large-grade bark or coconut should alleviate any potential issues from the residual Pro Mix. My cattleyas stay outside in the summer and get rained on regularly. In addition to that, I normally water them every other day (and sometimes daily if it's really hot). As long as they're actively growing, not sitting in a truly soggy medium, and the weather is warm-to-hot and they're getting good light, they can easily handle lots of water. It's only when they're dormant, or when the weather remains cool and overcast for days on end, that they absolutely need to go (and sometimes remain) completely dry between waterings. This, of course, is just my opinion. You'll probably get a variety of different opinions, which is fine. How you grow your plants will depend, to a large degree, on your particular conditions.

[tucker85]

It's apparently a fall bloomer. If it was me and I only spent $5 on it, I would leave it alone and let it bloom. The fact that it's growing out of the pot shows that it's been pretty happy in there for a long time. I think you're wise to take precautions to let it dry out but an occasional rain won't hurt. After it finishes blooming is an ideal time to repot properly. But if it would make you feel better there's nothing wrong with repotting now. Good luck.

[buckie]

Curtis,
What ever you decide to do you can put a new label on your plant when you do. This cross was registered in 2008 by Owens Orchids. the name is Rhyncholaeliocattleya ( Rlc. ) Nancy Forrest.

Warren

[ces797]

So I decided to keep it in it's current plastic pot in the peat moss mix until it's done blooming (it's blooming now, will attach a pic..there are actually two flowers but I had trouble staking so you can't see them both from any angle)
What I did was carefully cut 1/4" slits into the plastic pot with an exacto knife every two inches or so. This way the soil has a chance to dry out a bit quicker. I noticed when I pulled away the plastic pieces of pot that I cut away this plant has an enormous root system

Thanks for all your helpl

[ces797]

oh and Warren, I made sure to update my tag