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]

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.