Repotting seriously overgrown plants (including a few walkerianas)

[Dekejis]

So I've got several plants that I've received that have really really overgrown their pots - most of them are Cattleya walkerianas (although the most overgrown is a Mini Purple). I've heard that this is good for walkerianas, but I'm wondering when do you go ahead and pot up? I've got some baskets I was considering potting these guys up into, but they all have copious roots hanging out in the air (one of my concerns is that they are heavy enough now to tip over and break those roots, which has happened a bit) - should I repot these guys, and if so, should I add media to the basket? I don't want to suffocate the aerial roots either.
Thanks!

[Ross]

I noticed nobody has responded so far. I don't have many Cats, and no walkerianas, but my policy so far has been to move up a bit in pot size (say an inch) and stuff all the aerial roots into the pot. I know Ray makes a strong and insightful claim that roots have different purposes on orchids, but my experience is that the previously aerial roots seem to adapt to the new environment soon enough. Having said this, I must point out I water with a steady diet of MSU mix at 125PPM Nitrogen with 2 drops per gallon KLN in the mix. Maybe this helps? Doesn't hurt!

[isurus79]

All my walkerianas are mounted, which means they can scramble any which way they want. If you mount them, then your root breakage will be minimzed. Also, you could throw them in your baskets and simply cut off the aerial roots. I know this suggestion hurts a lot of people, but if they are long enough (before you cut them, ie. they are "mature" roots), they'll simply branch off and grow back. Add a little rooting hormone for good luck. Good luck!

[Don Perusse]

I would think it would depend on how much room you have. If I have a particular Cat. that I like then I just put into a larger pot which makes it a "specimen" and can be breathtaking when flowering with many spikes. But if room is a problem then I just divide and give/trade with another orchid grower or give to our club for auction. I do agree with Steve about cutting roots when dividing won't hurt them, just encourages new growth.

[Dekejis]

Thanks, guys, for the responses thus far.
I'd been debating on using mounts for the plants, but I haven't had much luck so far with keeping the roots alive on mounted plants - they seem to turn grey and sad in short order after I get the plant, as they have on one or two of the plants I'm referring to here. Admittedly, I'm still pretty new to this, so I'm still learning the "routine" for keeping all my plants (especially those being grown mounted, which I am not used to).
I do also use the MSU fertilizer, but only periodically and usually at about 1/3 - 1/2 tsp per gallon. My regimen also includes seaweed (Maxicrop), liquid fish, KLN, Protekt, and I supplement micronutrients, Iron and Calcium (Biomins) - I do also foliar feed with all these.
I'm growing these guys under lights and the specific plants in question get pretty good humidity (and there's an oscillating fan running day and night), and they get watered twice a week and misted usually every day.
I *think*, that most of my issues with the roots comes perhaps because these are new orchids that have to adjust to my environment - I'm hoping that their first flush of new roots (whenever they come) will be more appropriately adapted to my conditions? I've never grown orchids in baskets or on mounts before..
Anyway, I was thinking baskets with some pretty open media just to stabilize the plants. I'd really like to grow them into specimens and let them ramble.

[isurus79]

Some baskets would probably be a good idea then. With walkerianas, they really like a fast flowing medium, so I would actually recommend you use "decorative bark" as a media in the baskets. These are the huge bark chunks that ppl decorate the ground with, ie. ground cover where there are no plants. It sounds like you have a bunch of plants so you might also want to mount one of them, just for fun! You never know, it could be the key to future success!!

[quiltergal]

What about using chunks of EpiWeb in the basket instead of bark? It would still let everything drain quickly and provide lots of air to the roots.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

What about using chunks of EpiWeb in the basket instead of bark? It would still let everything drain quickly and provide lots of air to the roots.

That would probably work too, though Ive never used the stuff personally. I probably should try it sometime......