pot size and medium

[Roberta]

I use Orchiata Super for Catts - which need to dry out between waterings (it's big enough to not fall out of the baskets that Catts seem happier in than pots)

Sure you can unpot and see what you're working with , the plants won't be harmed if out of the pot for a day or two. As far as depth... I use the 5" diameter by 5" high round pots a lot. If roots are longer than the pot depth, you can gently wind them around with a twisting motion... sort of of screw them down into the pot.

[kvet]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I use Orchiata Super for Catts - which need to dry out between waterings (it's big enough to not fall out of the baskets that Catts seem happier in than pots)

Sure you can unpot and see what you're working with , the plants won't be harmed if out of the pot for a day or two. As far as depth... I use the 5" diameter by 5" high round pots a lot. If roots are longer than the pot depth, you can gently wind them around with a twisting motion... sort of of screw them down into the pot.

Understood, thank you! I think I have one cattaleya only, with two others being similar (b. sander and a no id). The former two are in what appear to be starter seed mixed from SVO and can probably can go another year without changing the medium.

[Roberta]

For sure, if you have SVO plants, no need to repot until they need it due to outgrowing their pots... SVO uses Kiwi Bark (pine bark like Orchiata, Fred Clarke feels that it is even better) so breakdown unlikely to be an issue. That's one source where I make an exception to my usual rule of repotting as soon as possible after purchase.... those will be fine being left in the original mix.

[kvet]

Okay! One of the SVO orchids I have still has room to grow (and it's putting out new growth now, so exciting!), but its roots are kind of gushing out. I'm planning to leave it alone until next year, unless this warrants a repot.

Also, while watching videos, this one came up.. No gloves, no sterilization, no fancy OCD TLC, just snip, shove, reuse pots and probably mix as well, and wa-lah! This is my kind of gardening (I need to get some overalls though).

Propagating Vanilla Orchids - YouTube

[Roberta]

I''d say "repot" ... if not right now, as soon as you see sign of new roots. The medium is likely fine but it's ready for a larger pot.

[kvet]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I''d say "repot" ... if not right now, as soon as you see sign of new roots. The medium is likely fine but it's ready for a larger pot.

Dag nabbit. The purple arrow points to new or grown, while red looks like a new root.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by kvet

Dag nabbit. The purple arrow points to new or grown, while red looks like a new root.

Time to up-pot. The very beginning of new roots is the perfect time.

[Keysguy]

OK, so here are my thoughts based on some simple premises that I follow for where and how I grow. (this is where I add legal disclaimer that "individual results may vary"!

Never re-pot a plant in bloom until it has finished its bloom cycle.

The course ochiata will not work for the Zygo unless you want to water twice a day. I use a mix of fine bark, sponge rock, charcoal and sphagnum and I grow in a hot, wet environment, See results in Maxillaria alliance forum Gptm. Starburst 'Parkside'. and BTW..... there is another spike coming right behind that one.

Anything with new green-tip roots can be re-potted (length may vary by genus) as long as it's not in bloom.

New pot side should be 1 size larger than current pot. Once you've reached the max size plant you want to deal with, chop it up. Last summer at the open house of a grower I have tremendous respect for, I watched him absolutely go beserk on a massive dendrobium he had had for years.....with a sawzall!!!!!!!! His comment---"I'll never be able to move this thing again unless everyone here grabs a piece and takes it home!" (I will guess here it was a brand new blade to avoid virus infection)

[kvet]

Nice zygo dude! Mine has bloomed twice now, last year the spike began growing in May, with the bloom in june That w!as the first time it's bloomed since purchase, was very exciting

[Keysguy]

Thanks. It's not a pure Zygo but a warmth tolerant cross.
So listen, if it's thriving and blooming, other than disengaging it from the community pot, why would you mess with a good thing? I hadn't seen that pic before. That's cool.....I've never seen one like that!