Chocolate smelling orchid needs repotting. Still in bloom.
 

Two questions:
1.) The oncidium I just purchased smells like chocolate which I love. The tag says "redolence" but after looking it up online, I'm thinking it might be a Sharry Baby. Does anyone know if those are even two different ones or the same thing...
2.) It needs repotting really badly (it was never repotted from its tiny baby pot but all the roots pushed through and it was just put in a bigger pot. So it has two pots.) Should I do it while it's in bloom? (one spike has almost fully bloomed. the other is still growing) I've heard all sorts of different advice... If I do repot, how should I remove the small pot that the roots are wrapped around without damaging them? Is soaking a good idea? Oncidium roots have proved delecate for me before. How should I keep them from rotting yet keep them well hydrated? What's the best potting medium for oncids?
Sorry for all the questions...:blushing:

Gotta pic? :)

It is most likely Onc. Heaven Scent 'Redolence'.
Heaven Scent is the hybrid, Redolence is the clone.
It's very similar to sharry baby.

I did a web search and there is an Oncidium Heaven Scent 'Redolent'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brichardsson/4599640235/

I haven't repotted an inbloom Oncidium, so I don't know how they do with that - if possible wait til it has finished blooming - unless others with experience doing that tell you it's ok. Tho sounds like this one will take some effort to repot, so might be best to wait ...
You could mist those roots maybe ?
Pix would be helpful.

When you do repot - soaking is always helpful. You may need to carefully cut the pot away tho. I have Oncidiums potted in fine orchid bark mix with added perlite, or in fine coconut husk chips with perlite and pumice.

Actually, did another quick search- it's a direct relative of Sharry Baby. Heaven Scent is Onc. Sharry Baby x Onc. Ruffles.

soak soak soak. an hour in luke warm water will really help.

Thank you so much. :D I will wait to repot for now. I have my other oncidium potted in fine orchid bark with perilite. I will do the same with this one. All the roots look amazingly healthy so I just don't want to ruin anything when I repot. I will post a picture tomorrow morning. Again, thanks for the help. :)

Also, Izzie and WhiteRabbit and anyone else, did you guys check my post about the spots on the phal...? I'm really worried...