Repot cattleya? Roots growing through sides of slotted pot

[greyblackfish]

Doing that definitely makes sense. Oh it's gonna be so fun to repot next year.

[RoseSD]

I an glad to have found this post. My young Catt seedling just grew 4 tiny new roots but they are far above the media. Should I repot? Not enough space in this pot to add more media material.

[estación seca]

Is that a 2" / 5cm pot? If your relative humidity is good the roots will find the medium and be fine. If it is fairly low you might repot. Most Cattleya hybrid seedlings will continue to make new growths all year if it's warm and bright enough.

[RoseSD]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Is that a 2" / 5cm pot? If your relative humidity is good the roots will find the medium and be fine. If it is fairly low you might repot. Most Cattleya hybrid seedlings will continue to make new growths all year if it's warm and bright enough.

Yes it is in a 2" pot. It is kept inside at 69 degree and getting direct sun through window 45 minutes a day. I think the air is dry though. If repotting is needed should I wait until the baby roots get a little bigger?

[estación seca]

69 degrees is OK but not warm enough to grow strongly through the winter. That's not a problem. The time to repot is as soon as you see root nubs. If your humidity isn't that high, you could repot now. The plant has pretty much outgrown that container.

[Roberta]

The ideal time to repot is when those baby roots are just getting started - the chance of damage is much less, and if it occurs, there will be more coming because it is the right time. Once the roots get longer they are much more fragile and less adaptable. So don't think of them as "babies"! If you can repot just BEFORE the roots emerge even better. Fred Clarke suggests noting the potting date on the tag not as the date when you actually DO it, but rather several weeks BEFORE - the next time, you will be able to get a jump on the process before they even appear, knowing that they will shortly.

Again, put the side of the plant opposite the direction of the new roots (the "older" part of the plant) against one side of the pot, direct the active part toward the middle of the pot to allow maximum room for growth.

Here are some good basic notes from SVO about basic Catt culture. Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts - Cattleya Culture

[RoseSD]

Thanks what media should I use? I have the fine size bark and pearlite Fred suggests but should I set it before or after repot. Also. The current pot is mighty spacious still but on the opposite side of new root tips....

[Roberta]

Well, it's a Catt... so good-quality bark. For a plant that size, probably 1/4 to 3/8 inch (like Orchiata "Power") would be appropriate, in a 3-4 inch pot. (Then in a couple of years it will go to a larger pot and larger bark). If you can't easily get Orchiata, you are close to SVO, Fred Clarke sells Kiwi Bark but I don't know if he does small quantities. But good drainage is critical, for all Catts.

[RoseSD]

Look at all the space behind it, and how fast the roots go!

[Roberta]

Looks great!