Help with White Angel roots

[AnnPaul]

I'm a newbie with my first cattleya. I've had it 30 days and am now repotting it but to my horror the orchid is a solid mass of roots in sphagnum. My question, should I try to disentangle the root mass to remove the old moss or repot in a larger pot and fill in with new media for cats. Thank you for any help.

[Dollythehun]

Can you use the water spray on the sink to dislodge the moss?

[Roberta]

Soak the "mass" well and then as gently as possible pick out the strands of moss. (A tweezers or needle nose pliers can help get into spots that you fingers can't) Don't worry if you don't get it all, but you do want to open up the root mass so that air can get in. It is much better to leave a bit of moss behind and not break roots. Then you can repot in medium bark. Getting air to the roots is the most important thing.

[AnnPaul]

I did what you suggested, first soaking the rootball overnight. The tweezer idea really helped; I wouldn't have thought of that myself. The moss was so tightly packed inside the roots were quite bad so once they were removed the job became easier. I really appreciate your speedy and wise advice.
Ann

[Roberta]

It's going to be MUCH happier in bark. Moss stays 'way too wet for Catts (which you saw when you encountered the dead stuff in the middle, along with the tight packing that squeezed out all the air) Well done!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Most Cattleyas make new roots when they make new growths. Since we're going into winter, your plant might not make new growth until it begins warming up next year. Don't worry! Let it get dry between waterings, and keep it in a bright spot.