Time to repot Cattleya? - Orchid Board

WillyT · #1 10-14-2021, 04:42 PM

This was my original potting when salvaged and am unsure if I should allow 1 more pseudobulb or repot now. I just cut off the old flower stalk and am eager to eliminate all the old growth(that lying flat). It hasn't been repotted since June 2019.

Roberta · #2 10-14-2021, 04:50 PM

Don't repot until you see new roots. Especially with winter approaching, with growth starting to slow down, this is probably a really bad time to do it unless it's one of those that roots in the fall. You shouldn't cut off the old growth until it is shriveled and used up - those old pseudobulbs (even after they lose leaves) are a reserve energy source for the plant - and this is still a fairly small plant so it needs all the help that it can get. Those older growths are nice and green, healthy looking. They could even push out new growths and new roots. So let it grow!

WillyT · #3 10-14-2021, 05:21 PM

Thankyou for the feedback. I was concerned with the time of year as I am up in the PNW. That said, I was also under the impression repotting should be done shortly after flowering and I did just cut off the recent blooms. I am unclear on the actual growth habit as this has bloomed 3 times in the past 2 years. June '20, Dec '20, and now Sep '21. I suppose it's still trying to figure that out?

Regarding the old growth I was also concerned with cutting off too much root so I suppose I'll have to live with that for now. Thank you.

When the new pseudobulb appears will it's proximity to the edge of the pot not be an issue?

Roberta · #4 10-14-2021, 05:54 PM

Ideal repotting time actually has little or nothing to do with blooming. The time to do it is when new ROOTS just start to appear. (Not even new growth... some will put out new roots at the same time as new growth, but there are some that make the new growth and then don't root for several months after, so can be seriously set back if you repot based on the growth) It's all about roots. And the plant, especially a small one like this, needs all the good roots that it can get. Don't cut just for aesthetics! It is a LONG way from needing dividing. Don't worry about a new pseudobulb being near the edge of the pot. In fact, I have found that Catts grow better after they start escaping from the pot, So even if the new growth is over the edge, no worries. In fact, it will make it just that much easier to see the emergence of new roots. You want to catch that golden "moment" when the new roots are just starting. Then, if a root tip gets damaged, not such a big deal because there will be more coming along shortly. At that point, you can pot it up, put the oldest growths near one edge of the pot to give maximum room for new growth (maybe go to a slightly larger pot), make sure that it is held firmly in place so that there is no wobbling, which can also damage new roots. Then those new roots will establish quickly in the new medium.

For now, it's time to just observe.

WillyT · #5 10-14-2021, 06:02 PM

Well there you go. Expressing one's lack of knowledge(my own) can be a learning experience provided one is open to learn. Thankyou Roberta!

Roberta · #6 10-14-2021, 06:07 PM

Always feel free to ask questions! Your knowledge will grow, and so will your orchids! Actually, orchids provide a lifetime of learning, for me that is one of their great attractions. The more I learn, the more I find out how much more there is to learn!