Timing for repotting a s/h established plant

[SaraJean]

I have a Mtssa. Shelob that has been growing in semi hydro for three years. It started sending out two new growths a few weeks ago and they definitely need a little more room to spread out before they get smooshed against the sides. Is timing as crucial for repotting in s/h if your plant is already established? I would normally wait for the growths to develop a bit more and I saw some root development but, in theory, I’m just taking this out of one pot, plopping it in something larger with more leca and not really changing anything else.

[Subrosa]

Not so much, because the existing roots are already acclimated to s/h.

[Ray]

What he said...

[SaraJean]

Thanks for the input! I am hesitant to repot in the winter but this thing just will not stop growing...

[Ray]

Seasons are relatively meaningless. What matters is the activity of the plant.

If the plant is actively growing roots, It's OK to transplant into a new medium - and that includes fresh bark from old bark, for example. But if the plant is dormant, making even that small of a change can be a setback. Maybe not as huge of a setback are changing to a different type of medium, but a setback nonetheless.

When you repot a plant established in semi-hydroponics into a bigger pot, you really haven't changed anything to speak of, so there will be virtually no setback.

[charlesf6]

sounds alright to me!

[Subrosa]

I often find that if a plant has slightly overgrown its pot in s/h, the roots have "locked up" most of the leca, and once the plant is out of the old pot the roots and leca form an almost solid mass. This can be placed into a larger pot and back filled around, which minimizes root disturbance.