Gastrochilus rutilans repot now or later?

[Johndeaux22]

I purchased this Gastrochilus rutilans in 2020, and it has bloomed several times a year since then. I’m at a point now where the bark it came in (I think Brookside uses Kiwi bark) is breaking down, and I’m noticing some of the old roots starting to fail. How likely is it to blast the flower spike if I repot soon? The flowers are typically pretty long lasting, but it’s also putting out new leaves a roots right now. When I repot, it’ll be going into a slightly larger clay pot…it’s a delicate balancing act to get it to stay upright as it is now. Should I wait to repot until the end of the bloom cycle (which could be another month or more), or should I repot now.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

What is worth more to you? The current blooms, or the health of the plant long term? If it blooms multiple times a year, a repot now shouldn't diminish the future blooms.

[Louis_W]

I would go for it. If you are delicate about it and keep it well watered afterwards you might not even loose them.

[Johndeaux22]

It is currently putting out roots, so I’ll be potting it this weekend. It just got a dose of kelpak a couple days ago, so it’ll get some fresh Orchiata bark and a slightly bigger clay pot to live in this weekend.

[Roberta]

It's all about roots. If it's rooting, time to repot. I agree with Louis_W, likely the flowers won't even notice.