How to repot severely overgrown Brassavola?

[BrassCat]

Hello orchid board! I have a wonderful BC rustic spots that blooms beautifully for me…it’s been nor stop putting out new structures and blooms since I got it…and now it’s finally no longer in bloom, but it’s severely overgrown the pot! How best should I repot it? I know I waited too long, but now I’m in this situation! Should I just pot up, dropping it into a larger pot with new medium, or should I cut this root mass somehow? Thanks all!

[Roberta]

DON'T CUT THOSE BEAUTIFUL ROOTS!!!!! Just drop it into a suitably-sized pot (or basket), fill in with large bark (these need to drain well) and keep on doing what you're doing.

[Louis_W]

Agreed ^^

[Dimples]

Those roots are BEAUTIFUL!!! What a happy plant.

[Fairorchids]

This plant is barely large enough to divide, but unless you have someone demanding a division, I would not do it at this stage. Simply repot for now.

Next time around (in 2 years or so), take it out of the pot, and then soak it in a bucket of water. Once roots are saturated, they are more pliable, so you can gently tease apart till you reach the rhizome where you want to do the cut.

In a commercial environment, we might divide down to 3-4 pseudobulbs. However, to maintain strong blooming, you should aim for no less than 8-10 in each division.

[BrassCat]

Thanks all! I was so worried I’d waited too long to repot, so I’m pleased I can just pot up! In the long run, how will I ever do a full repot with this monster? I’m a windowsill grower and can’t have it get ginormous! And I’m not ready to divide right now; but maybe someday! Thanks again everyone

[Waterdog111]

I would say, to split-up a specimen sized plant like that would be a shame. It has to be beautiful in its whole glory. Would it be totally undoable to have a place outside for it. Where are you located, and what type weather do you have there?