Catt out grew Semi-Hydro

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by daddydoall

The newer growth is very healthy, those aerial roots will rot if potted into the SH directly. Plant misbehavior can be very frustrating.

That's exactly why I came here for help, you expressed my concerns better than I did, thanks.

If I were to pot it up in Semi/hydro, should I cut the healthy roots first? It is currently growing new roots that are still a few cm's long. If I were to do this, now is the time.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

That's exactly why I came here for help, you expressed my concerns better than I did, thanks.

If I were to pot it up in Semi/hydro, should I cut the healthy roots first? It is currently growing new roots that are still a few cm's long. If I were to do this, now is the time.

I assume underneath all those healthy roots is a plastic pot with LECA or something similar?

Do __NOT__ cut the roots!!

Frankly, I would take the whole plant out of the semi-hydro pot, with any adhering LECA. Drop the root mass down into a larger empty terracotta pot. Boom - - done. No need to add more medium, but maybe stake it to hold it in place.

Cattleyas do not need constant water. They prefer drying around the roots. Your abundant roots are a sign that the plant is getting a happy balance between water and air. You could alleviate your watering concern by placing the terracotta pot into a plastic pot tray and leaving less than a half cm of water in that tray after watering. The terracotta will wick that up and keep the air around the roots humid. Water once to twice a week and you should be OK.

The other options would be to repot and continue what you were doing, or repot conventionally. None of these are bad options.

[estación seca]

I think the standard semi-hydro grower's response would be gently to take the whole plant out of the semi-hydro pot, with any adhering LECA. Drop the root mass down into a larger empty semi-hydo pot, and fill in more presoaked LECA. Boom - - done.

Cattleyas do remarkably well in S/H. But they do outgrow the pots rapidly.

[Tindomul]

Thanks all for help, advice and warnings. I think I have decided to simply repot in S/h, but now I will have to find a big enough pot. Something wide enough and long enough to accommodate new leaves and roots.

[estación seca]

I just bought from Ray a Pescatorea hybrid. I think it is in a smallish S/H pot. It's hard to tell because the plant is so huge. I'm going to slide off the old pot and put it into a 3-gallon / 12 liter bucket with drilled holes.

[Tindomul]

Here is an update. I went and found myself a clear smallish garbage container. It's big in my opinion compared to the semi/hydro pot I currently have my Catt. mosiae in. I took my drill and cut two holes at a distance I liked and voilà!, I've got my new pot.