Proper method to Repot this rescue

[Dollythehun]

I rescued another one if these today, I just threw the last one out as a total failure. It just never grew any roots.

So, how would you repot this? I see no new growth. I've soaked it in weak fish emulsion so far but not turned it out of the pot.

[isurus79]

The picture on the left shows a maturing growth that might throw new roots very soon. And why does it need to be repotted?

[Dollythehun]

Steve, it looks bad, lots if broken roots on the surface at least. Charcoal chunks with bark. Would you leave it like it is? I have not had good success with these rescues I did have Leafmite walk me through a repot of a new Catt and that turned out well but, it was healthy. So, what would you do?

[isurus79]

The photo seems to make the media look fine. If this is true (you've got a much better handle on the media viability than I do from a photo!), I'd leave it be and water appropriately.

[estación seca]

Don't repot Cattleyas that aren't currently making new roots unless you have a really, really good reason to do so. I personally would leave a Cattleya in horribly bad medium until it began growing new roots. I would be very careful watering.

You will damage some roots in any repot. It might be many months before this plant makes more roots. During this time it will struggle to take up enough water, and continue to go downhill....

The best thing to do for a plant like this is to water properly, and maintain the humidity as high as you can, so it transpires as little water as possible. Then, when it begins making new roots, repot, if needed.

[Dollythehun]

And this makes sense. The one I tossed just never made new roots. Keeping up the humidity will be the challenge.

For this charcoal, bark medium, what is proper watering? The same wet/dry cycle?

[Nexogen]

This plant if it does not have roots does not make sense to watering, you're doing more harm to them. All you can do is keep the plant in high humidity and expect to grow a new pseudobulb. The more perturbs it gets, the less likely it is to recover. Forget it for a while, and you'll have the surprise to see it coming back.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

For this charcoal, bark medium, what is proper watering? The same wet/dry cycle?

Yes. The pot seems large and deep so you're going to have to be careful. I would consider using a spray bottle to water, and only spraying the rhizome and visible roots.

[isurus79]

The pictures make the roots seem fine. Is this true? If so, water as normal. This means let the media dry between waterings.

[Leafmite]

Good luck with your new orchid! The advice you are getting is pretty sound. The charcoal in the medium should help with the drainage. So, what one did you get?

I bought some bag babies this spring and left them in the medium as it looked new and the pseudobulbs had already put out their roots. I can always remove some of the medium if I become concerned.