Quote:
Originally Posted by isurus79
This seems like a great way to break all the new roots. You should repot just as the new roots are peeking out of the new bulb, not when they're already long and easily broken.
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If a person's not careful when repotting, it wouldn't matter what size the roots are, the person's gonna be snapping roots off anyways.
I've repotted Cattleyas when they've had long roots or short roots, and I've had no such problems when I was gentle and careful to repot. If there are any pieces of bark that the roots are clinging on to tightly, those are the ones I just leave alone.
When the roots are wet, it makes repotting easier and less likely that roots will snap. This is when you can carefully bend the roots to manipulate. If you're using a clay pot and the roots get stuck on the inside edges of the pot, just wet the roots thoroughly and carefully try to roll the roots off the pot. If you have a difficult time trying to remove the roots, you can re-wet the roots and try again. If they're too stuck and if you feel that you might be risking root damage, just stop.
If you're using a plastic pot, just wet the potting media down thoroughly, squeeze the pot on every side at least twice, and/or cut it open if necessary and carefully manipulate the roots. Same thing if you're using a plastic net pot.
If you're using a wooden slat basket, it is the same method as using a clay pot.
If the roots are just coming out of the rhizome, it is best not to put your fingers near that area. I've snapped off root tips by putting my fingers near newly emerging roots before. If you have to do something near this zone, you can either use a chopstick, a skewer, a pair of tweezers, a toothpick, or any appropriately sized tool to help you manipulate things around.
In my opinion, this is the area you have to be the most careful with because the root tips are softer than a velamen covered root, and if the root tip(s) get snapped off, some of them might not grow back. If the root tips or even a short section of a longer root gets snapped off, it is far more likely the rest of the root will still survive and grow a new root tip later during the growing season.
Repotting can take a while, but if it is done with strategic thought, you can pretty much repot a Cattleya at any time of the year as long as the Cattleya has living roots and if you're careful enough, it would not be a problem.
The caveat being is if the Cattleya does not have a very healthy root system in place, then it is best to repot during the spring time when new growth of the roots occur if necessary. If it is not necessary, then repot during the next growing season.
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