I finally found a big pot for my Cattleya

[No-Pro-mwa]

peewee that is a thought but I wonder how that would work in the house? And what kind of mix would one use with that.

Sonya the roots on top look great but I have no idea how they are inside the pot, as you can see there are allot on top.

NY thanks that makes sense I hadn't thought of roots going into the net pot so peanuts it is.

Cambria the bottom isn't as small as it looks in the picture. It is like Katrina say's it is more like a bowl and it seems very stable.

Katrina I remember that picture and I thought it looked so nice that is exactly the look I was going for. Wish I had some leca that might be a good medium to try but I have allot of bark mix I bought so I think I just want to use it up. I think if I use enough peanuts and spread the roots out and because the pot is shorter than the one it is in that it will be fine.

Thanks Kindra it is a big plant but I can't take the credit I bought this thing this big from Hausermanns last summer. It has 3 sheaths and I was hoping it would bloom but it has not changed since I got it. I just really think it needs to be re-potted now. I am of course scared to death I am going to kill it before I ever get to see the blooms.

FSU I do keep looking at it and thinking about it but I really wanted to see it bloom on this one big plant.

I can tell you all I will really be a wreak when I do divide this thing and will be needing help with that. I guess I better hope it comes to that point and I don't kill it before I get to. I was thinking this will probably be the biggest pot I will put it in, next will be dividing it.

So no one thinks I need to drill more holes in it. The bottom of the pot is 6 1/4 inches and the hole in it is 1 1/8 inches.

[silken]

I think the pot will be fine since you are going from plastic which doesn't breath to clay which should dry out faster. I really do favour under-potting but if a plant is real robust and a good grower, then moving to a slightly bigger pot should be fine. You might consider putting a small net pot upside down in the centre of the root mass for air movement.

[ronaldhanko]

An upside down pot in the center (also with plenty of drainage) works well to keep the center of the plant from becoming to soggy.

[katrina]

Let the roots dictate how much "filler" you use in the pot. If lots of roots then use a nice layer of p'nuts in the bottom but if not many roots then use more p'nuts. As long as your bark is fresh and chunky...I'm sure it'll work just fine.

Also...if you get it out of the pot and it's lacking good roots...make a mound of the p'nuts in the pot and set the roots down over it. This will help to eliminate any potential for too wet/soggy conditions in the middle. I hope that made sense.

As for extra holes...I doubt you'll need them. The existing hole is very large and I haven't had any trouble w/it at all.

Don't be so nervous...I'm sure you'll do just fine w/this orchid. Bright light....allow it to dry out a bit between waterings...intermediate temps = you'll do fine.

When it's time to divide just ask...I have a couple of pictorial thingess I did that can help show the process but, honestly, it's really not difficult at all. If you've ever divided an iris or lily...a catt will seem like a piece of cake.

FWIW - I wouldn't divide the plant just yet. Bigger plant = bigger show.

[plumania]

I see many cedar baskets in 10,12,14 inch size on internet.You may want to consider those. For example this one-
ORCHID BASKETS
That will eliminate all the worry about overpotting and media since you can easily keep chunkier media and baskets provide enough air.And they will be stable.
I grow cattleyas in both, clay pots and baskets. Roots like ample space baskets provide though clay pots look better. Baskets are lighter than clay pots.And easier to hang because of hooks on them(if you decide to hang it).
Also, don't you think it is better to divide in spring/summer when plants grow roots/leads faster ?
And you may get away with 2 or more smaller pots instead of one huge pot at that time.
Because plant will probably keep traveling in one direction and you will have same dilemma sooner or later, you may want to consider dividing by making a cut in the rhizome (leaving at least 4 p bulbs on each division)while plant is in the same basket( in spring, without disturbing any other part). In time you can separate them after they grow leads and put in smaller baskets.
Just my

I bought some large Cattleyas from Hauserman recently, may have to use my own advise.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Thanks every one. I think I will use peanuts I do believe I have a bunch of them. Do you put them in water first to make sure they will work. Seems like i read that one here some don't work so well.

Hausermanns that's where I got this one from. For some reason I didn't think it would be this big. I want so much to see this thing in bloom. This one is growing in two directions.

I was thinking it would be better in spring but it has green growing tips on the roots now and it is growing over the pot and it sure looks to me like it needs to be re-potted now.

[silken]

Some of the peanuts are made of cornstarch and dissolve in water. So good idea to test them. Let the plant's growth habit dictate when to repot. If is is growing new roots now, then I would repot now.

[blackvine]

I think the pot is fine because you've got a lot of growing roots, they're circling, and unless they have a bit more room, they're going to be angry. Similar to Katrina, I have B. nodosa that I got last January as a seedling in a little 2 or 3" pot. I mounted it (pic 1), but dismounted (as I did most mounties - long story) in June, put him in a deep 5" pot, and he's gone gangbusters. Spiked 3 times and tons of roots - pics 2 and 3. I really don't understand the reasoning behind the "small pot" rule anyway and it did not apply in my case.

Beautiful Catt, by the way!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Your plant seems to be happy. Yes I think they are getting angry and I am in need of getting after it. I have been a bit busy lately and haven't had time to go look up the peanuts yet.

[dounoharm]

the size of the pot is acceptable....a plant of that size, with all those growths needs some room unless you are repotting every year....my concern is knocking it over, as the bottom will be light weight with peanuts or net pot (or both)....since it is a bowl, it may be easy to tip over...I think the clay idea is good for a cat this size too....go for it!