Repot Unruly Catts?

[Dorchid]

Both these small Cattleyas are root monsters and new growths will be working over the edge of the pots in short order. I think the first could be repotted now as it’s working on a new growth but the second has some 2 inch roots I may not want to disturb until they get a bit longer. Wudya think?

[SouthPark]

Your growing area is providing very nice growing conditions there. Over here in my tropical conditions - I really do repot catts at anytime I want.

When the provided conditions are good ----- then I just find it's no problem to repot a catt at any time of the year.

[Bayard]

It’s best to repot when the roots are just emerging from the base of the pseudobulbs. Air roots seem to resent being shoved into a pot and buried with mix. Have you considered mounting onto cork or treefern? If you can water frequently and maintain high humidity, the plants will love it.

[Dorchid]

Thanks guys! I’m not sure I want to mount them. I’d likely leave the air roots free roaming when I repot. They’re kind of a pain though as they’re so damn long!

[Roberta]

Consider using bulb pans - you can go for a larger circumference without seriously increasing the volume, so that you can avoid the wet-airless pot center. Or, use a larger standard pot, but invert a small pot in the middle, which creates an air pocket (and keeps the bark out of that center area), again letting you to to a larger pot while keeping the middle airy.

[Keysguy]

Boy, those are happy looking bright green root tips. That's very impressive growing in Colorado in the dead of winter!

Like SP, I re-pot Catts anytime because they are always growing. My problem with wandering air roots is that if I don't keep them under control inside the pot, they end up attached to 10 other plants, the benches, etc. and then you're looking at open heart surgery when you do decide to do something about it. In my mind, sooner is better than later.

[Dorchid]

Thanks, keys! It’s all tent grown so they stay happy.

@ Roberta - bulb pots, eh? I can see that...thanks for the suggestion. Actually ran across some terra cotta ones yesterday. Anyone else on here using these? Got pics?!?

[Roberta]

I mostly grow Catts in wood baskets - hanging in the back yard. Think of them as three-dimensional mounts. roots are unruly, but I rather like them that way. Different conditions, wouldn't work in an indoor setup. Same concept, though... roots need a chance to dry out so the ratio of roots to medium needs to be rather high.

[Dorchid]

Very cool! What makes you think this approach wouldn’t work in an indoor setup? My tent runs 65-75F give or take and around 80% rh.

[Roberta]

It's a space consideration... if you can manage 8" baskets with roots hanging down or otherwise going where they want to go, it would work. It is great for growing cats, but bad for tidiness (which was one of your goals) I have the whole back yard under shadecloth - and tall people need to watch where they're walking. Some of the roots cling to the basket, others may decide to go sideways or straight down. In the yard, not an issue. I like "jungle". But not sure that's desirable in a grow tent.