catt roots, question

[VickiC]

Hi everyone,
I want to share my happy (I hope) catt roots with you before I repot the plant.....and also ask if you think that I should spread the roots and remove the old medium before I repot or should I just sit him down as he is in a slightly larger pot (he was in a 4" clay and I plan to repot in a 6" (probably plastic this time so that I can keep a check on the roots). I also plan to repot him in the same medium mix combination that he was used to (mainly bark, and a small amount of chc and charcoal, which is soaking as we speak, by the way.

I would appreciate any advice/suggestions from you as well as comments, if you choose.

Thank you,
Vicki

[Orchidflowerchild]

i'd tease out whatever you could without damaging the roots. Dang those roots are healthy, though.

-Cj

[nenella]

WOW! Those are absolutely outstanding roots! Congratulations! she obviously loves the conditions you are keeping her in.
I don't know if I would 'dare' change her from a clay pot to a plastic one?
I'm not a cattleya expert - my feeling would be to just 'sit' him/her
into a bigger clay pot as you say; using same mix and not mess with the roots?as they just look toooo healthy to be "messed" with.

[VickiC]

Thank you for your reply and advice, of course! I appreciate your help!
Vicki

Originally Posted by Orchidflowerchild

i'd tease out whatever you could without damaging the roots. Dang those roots are healthy, though.

-Cj

[VickiC]

Thank you for the compliment....my catt would thank you, too. I imagine it's proud of it's roots. I didn't think about the fact that it was used to being potted in a clay pot. It might not appreciate being moved to a different pot environment ?? Most of my other catts are in clay and they seem to be doing fine (a few are in S/H, though...and they are growing good, too). As I mentioned, I was only thinking about being able to watch it's roots grow.

I'm a little leary of spreading the roots to remove the old mix, but I'll do whatever is best for the catt.

Thank you for your reply and advice.
Vicki

Originally Posted by nenella

WOW! Those are absolutely outstanding roots! Congratulations! she obviously loves the conditions you are keeping her in.
I don't know if I would 'dare' change her from a clay pot to a plastic one?
I'm not a cattleya expert - my feeling would be to just 'sit' him/her
into a bigger clay pot as you say; using same mix and not mess with the roots?as they just look toooo healthy to be "messed" with.

[Call_Me_Bob]

it looks as if the inside of the root mass is hollow. maybe get a chipstick and poke out as much old media as you can.

i would be cautious about leaving it in there because it will decompose at a faster rate than the new media. and will lead to root rot. and you wouldnt want those gorgeous roots to rot!

[BobInBonita]

Love your roots (is that an orchid pick-up line?)

I agree with Help above - I'd try to remove as much of the old as possible. I've done the "just plop it in" and usually regret it. Another thing to try is to use a fine spray to rinse out the smaller chunks. Once you get an opening, by moving the spray around, it's amazing how much you can get out. Just don't use a really high pressure. If it feels gentle on my wrist, I use it. If it feels like needles, I turn it down.

[Orchidflowerchild]

Originally Posted by VickiC

Thank you for the compliment....my catt would thank you, too. I imagine it's proud of it's roots. I didn't think about the fact that it was used to being potted in a clay pot. It might not appreciate being moved to a different pot environment ?? Most of my other catts are in clay and they seem to be doing fine (a few are in S/H, though...and they are growing good, too). As I mentioned, I was only thinking about being able to watch it's roots grow.

I'm a little leary of spreading the roots to remove the old mix, but I'll do whatever is best for the catt.

Thank you for your reply and advice.
Vicki

Old grower's motto: Grow the roots, grow the plant.

-Cj

[VickiC]

Yes, the inside is hollow for the most part. I had been soaking the media and was ready to repot, so I did. Before I started, I took your advice and removed as much of the old media as I could. I'm pretty inexperienced, so it was quite a job. This is my 1st catt to grow lots of roots in my care.

I also took Nenella's advice and repotted it in a clay pot rather than a plastic one. I plan to keep it in it's same spot in my greenhouse because it seemed to like it there.

I hope I repotted it right because, as you said, I certainly don't want all those nice roots to rot!

Thanks for your help!
Vicki

Originally Posted by help

it looks as if the inside of the root mass is hollow. maybe get a chipstick and poke out as much old media as you can.

i would be cautious about leaving it in there because it will decompose at a faster rate than the new media. and will lead to root rot. and you wouldnt want those gorgeous roots to rot!

[VickiC]

Very good motto! I haven't heard it before....it's so true!
Thanks!
Vicki

Originally Posted by Orchidflowerchild

Old grower's motto: Grow the roots, grow the plant.

-Cj