Wooden baskets engulfed by large cattleyas - is Repotting even possible?

[Roberta]

Question... was the plant pushing new roots when you divided? Catts in general, some more than others, are really particular about that.

[piping plover]

Final pics of the repot. Two large divisions. My pruners were too dull to really get in between the pseudobulbs; bought a new pair today and may try to get 4 or 5 divisions total. So glad to have this done.

[Roberta]

Before diving further, you might want to wait and see what grows... many of those back bulbs are going to continue to wither. In another year or so, you'll have the dead brown ones, and hopefully new growth, and you'll be better able to see what needs to be further trimmed (and where). For a big overgrown plant like that, I have found the cleanup to be a multi-stage (at least two stage) process.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Question... was the plant pushing new roots when you divided? Catts in general, some more than others, are really particular about that.

Hi Roberta, thanks. I know that is a really important question. There are no new roots growing now. Typically this one initiates new roots when the new growths are well along. I felt between a rock and a hard place on this because I knew I’d do a lot of damage to the new roots and brittle new growths if I waited any longer. All the while as the plant is losing vigor.

---------- Post added at 11:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:46 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Before diving further, you might want to wait and see what grows... many of those back bulbs are going to continue to wither. In another year or so, you'll have the dead brown ones, and hopefully new growth, and you'll be better able to see what needs to be further trimmed (and where). For a big overgrown plant like that, I have found the cleanup to be a multi-stage (at least two stage) process.

Ah, thanks for sharing that advice and experience. That makes sense. I may just go ahead and wait for another season to further divide as you suggest. At least it will now have good aeration, fresh media for the new roots and growths to recover.

[Roberta]

For the next round (in a year or two), you do want to wait until new roots are just starting (like little bumps just peeking out. Then if a few get damaged, there are going to be more. (If the new growths are already established when rooting begins, you'll have to be extra careful) This year, perhaps note the date on the tag when you see jut the beginning of new roots. That will tell you for next year when it is ready for the next stage. (Ideally, you do it a couple of weeks BEFORE the roots emerge... if you know when it will be based on prior years' records, you can employ that bit of clairvoyance) It won't be so brutal on the plant since it won't be attached to the new pot/ basket so firmly,

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by Roberta

For the next round (in a year or two), you do want to wait until new roots are just starting (like little bumps just peeking out. Then if a few get damaged, there are going to be more. (If the new growths are already established when rooting begins, you'll have to be extra careful) This year, perhaps note the date on the tag when you see jut the beginning of new roots. That will tell you for next year when it is ready for the next stage. (Ideally, you do it a couple of weeks BEFORE the roots emerge... if you know when it will be based on prior years' records, you can employ that bit of clairvoyance) It won't be so brutal on the plant since it won't be attached to the new pot/ basket so firmly,

Clairvoyance! Lol. That sounds like a great plan, noting the root date and planning around. Thanks for the sound advice Roberta, very generous of you to share your knowledge on this forum!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by piping plover

Clairvoyance! Lol. That sounds like a great plan, noting the root date and planning around. Thanks for the sound advice Roberta, very generous of you to share your knowledge on this forum!

Thanks... I can't take credit for that idea. Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids suggests not putting the potting date, but rather a date about 3 weeks before, on the tag when potting an actively rooting plant, so next time a better time is chosen, (We all tend to let the roots get past the ideal point when getting around to potting) In your case, where it was an emergency repot in the absence of actual rooting, all the more reason to note when that critical time is, and document it to get ahead of the plant for the next repot.

[isurus79]

I know this plant has been chopped, but for anyone here to look for some additional tips on overgrown Catts, Art Chadwick has some great videos on the topic (each only about a minute long):

https://youtu.be/38EdzGg0afA

https://youtu.be/8nXHf37ZMfw

https://youtu.be/Grs1IovC8Ik

[piping plover]

[QUOTE=isurus79;982660]I know this plant has been chopped, but for anyone here to look for some additional tips on overgrown Catts, Art Chadwick has some great videos on the topic (each only about a minute long):

Thanks Isurus! That is really helpful. I need razor blades for my next repot, that was my first mistake. For years I tried to find good large Catt repot videos, and that eventually lead me to this forum approximately 4 years ago when I needed advice on wooden baskets repots. Lol when he said that he could avoid the cutting and just put it in a 20 “ basket, much easier if I had space indoors.

Chadwick’s are amazing. Such high quality information in their site for cattleyas.

[piping plover]

I’ve been on patrol weekly for emerging roots as I want to continue repotting all my orchids from wooden baskets back to clay pots.

This week looks like Lc. Chyong Guu Swan 'Ruby Lip' AM/OSROC is ready. Seeing new roots and eye bud swelling. This had great growth last year but declined over the winter indoors.

Not many roots or good top growth remains. Preferred to repot to smaller clay pot, but I needed to retain 3 sides of the wood basket because root tips adhered to them. I folded up the wood basket remnant and put into the clay pot with fresh media.

Has never bloomed for me; got close last year though. Photos below . For reference, I included a bloom photo I found online.