Repot or Not? Cym, Onc, Miltoniopsis

[VMStearns]

I feel silly asking, there is so much information that I've read already, but even after researching, I am still going back and forth on whether I should repot these three orchids in my collection. Mostly it is my lack of experience with the types. I have no problem with the Phals.

Anyway...I have a cymbidium (NoID currently in full flower) with roots and medium that is so dense in the pot, I can't use the skewer method. There are literally no gaps to slip in a bamboo skewer. This one will be going out for the Spring/Summer.

The Miltoniopsis (NoID nearly finished flowering) is stretching the plastic pot in multiple directions.

The Oncidium (Sharry Baby that flowered over the Christmas holidays) is either planted in a medium I don't recognize or the roots have completely covered the medium.

Here are pictures:

[RandomGemini]

Do you have newly developed pbulbs with roots that are trying to stretch down into the medium?

If so, then yes, repot. I don't repot oncidiums until I see new root growth. These don't like to be repotted, they tend to sulk after getting put into fresh medium and I think, this is just my theory, that they are more accepting of a new potting situation, when there are new roots growing.

The cym, I would repot, because it looks like there's no room left in that pot for new root growth.

[WhiteRabbit]

I'd repot the Cym after flowering. It may be a pot full of roots preventing skewer insertion If so, the repot may take some time, so plan for that.

I haven't had problems repotting Oncidiums "whenever", but generally the ideal time to repot orchids is when there is new growth.

[HighSeas]

I repot when I see a plant needs it and is in an active growth cycle. Flowering or not. I've never had an issue or adverse effects. Just don't water for a week to10 days afterwards and keep it in a shady location during that time. After that...give it a nice healthy dose of Kelp and return to normal.

I wouldn't however, try it on an Angraecum. They get an "attitude".

[Cym Ladye]

ABSOLUTELY repot the Cym. Let dry several weeks, remove from pot and cut off the bottom 1/3 of the root ball. That should allow you to gently remove the old mix and dead roots. Either pot up into a larger pot or divide in half for two plants. Use a pot large enough to allow for a couple years bulb growth.

If it has been in bloom a month, cut the spikes, put them in the house to enjoy and get to repotting. The earlier in the growing season, the better!

Cym Ladye

[VMStearns]

Thanks to all for the helpful responses.

Cym Ladye,

I'll plan to repot the cymbidium around May 10th (allowing several weeks to dry and taking advantage of using the spikes of fresh flowers for a "hats mandatory" bridal shower). I'm not sure whether I'll split or go bigger. I'll have pots on hand for either.

Random Gemini, White Rabbit, and HighSeas,

Thanks for your comments. Because the Oncidium is indeed showing new growth, I've ordered some mix and pots from RePotMe.com and will repot when it arrives.

I will probably do the NoID Miltoniopsis as well. It is really crowded (literally warping the pot) and I have no idea what it is potted in as it is from an unknown commercial grower.

It will be an adventure. I'm looking forward to it.

Cheers!

[VMStearns]

I finished the repotting of the Oncidiums and Miltoniopsis over the weekend.

Here are some images of the root mass of the Miltoniopsis and Sharry Baby Oncidium:

[VMStearns]

Here is the Miltoniopsis root mass after I teased it a bit and removed what little medium in the original pot: Actually I teased it A LOT...it took quite a while and quite a few of the roots at the top had to be left as it. They wouldn't budge. My hope is that the new larger pot will encourage the new growth as it now has lots of space to develop.

[RandomGemini]

Holy roots!! Wow!

[Cym Ladye]

The old adage, "where there is smoke there is fire" applies to repotting as well. If you suspect a plant needs repotting or dividing, it almost always does.