Should I replant this cattleya?

[Brownthumb10]

I got it almost a year ago and have never repotted it. It has grown two new leaves since I got it and just went out of bloom. Do you think it has room where it is? Any other thoughts? Thanks!

[tucker85]

It still has enough room to grow. The question is how does the media look. If the media still looks good and it's chunky enough to allow air down to the roots, then you can keep it the way it is. If media is starting to breakdown and holding too much moisture, you may want to consider repotting. While phalaenopsis do well when they're repotted each year, the same thing is not true for cattleyas. They do best if they're left alone unless it's absolutely necessary to repot them.

[Brownthumb10]

Thanks, I will leave it. The media is still chunky looks good. This plant has been doing great since I got it.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I agree with Tucker, but would also add, do the roots look good as well? My inclination would be to leave it go in the pot until it is climbing over the edge.

[Leafmite]

Personally, I would probably re-pot it now as it is about to go through a new growth cycle and this is a really good time. I like to re-pot all of my orchids as soon as I can do so. However, if the bark is of a type that will last another year, there is no reason to re-pot the orchid.

[Tim P.]

My opinion is I would see what is going on in the pot. I am seeing severely shriveled P bulb. I know from my experience that chances are there is some not so nice things going on underneath.

If you know everything is ok with it Im with Tucker on this one. It has some room left to grow, leave it if it is healthy.

[james mickelso]

I would repot this but not right now. Wait until it has new growth and that growth is pushing new roots. If that is when the new growth gets 4-6 inches tall and then pushes new roots....then pot it. If it grows first, and then pushes roots as it is putting on an inflorescence then pot it then. The optimum time to re-pot cattleyas is when they are pushing roots on their new growth. Disturbing the roots well in advance of the new root growth can, and usually does, set the plant back. The reason is that disturbing the roots breaks the old root tissue and the orchid then has to use energy repairing that damage. The roots on this one are wrapped around the inside of the pot and adhering to the wall material. I would let this orchid rest a bit too because it needs to re-coupe from flowering. Don't drown it but let it dry to nearly dry and then water it. It is not metabolizing much now so feed it very lightly until new growth appears. Then go back to your standard regimen of fertilizing.